7 Reasons Why People Abuse Alcohol
With Alcohol Awareness Week 2025 just around the corner (7th – 13th July), it’s important to have open discussions about the nature of alcohol consumption here in the UK.
Whilst alcohol is a go-to for many people when it comes to socialising, relaxing after a long day, or as a way to celebrate a special occasion, we often forget that alcohol is a drug.
Like with any other drug, prolonged use can lead to dependence, harmful habits, and a series of negative health consequences, both physical and mental. In 2023, alcohol-related deaths in the UK hit a record high, with more than 10,000 individuals dying as a result of heavy drinking.
It’s therefore important to investigate the exact reasons as to why so many people abuse alcohol in the UK, so we can begin to raise greater awareness of the very real dangers that binge-drinking can pose.
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7 Reasons Why People Abuse Alcohol in the UK
1) Societal Pressure
An uncomfortable truth is that alcohol consumption is very commonplace in the UK. So much so that it has arguably become stitched into the very fabric of our national culture.
Whether it’s going to the pub and drinking pints to socialise with friends, drinking to celebrate special occasions, or as a way to simply unwind after a long day, it seems alcohol is everywhere and feels almost unavoidable.
Often, choosing not to drink is to place yourself in the minority, to single yourself out at social gatherings. These individuals may feel as though they are the odd one out, and that they don’t qualify to have the same amount of fun as everyone else.
Worse still, they may fear being perceived by those who are drinking as being ‘boring’ or a ‘party pooper’.
This attitude that champions alcohol as the ultimate social lubricant is a dangerous one, as it can lead people to believe that binge drinking is normal and, in many ways, expected.
It can convey the message that alcohol is the best – or only means – by which people can relax, enjoy themselves, and socialise with friends and family.
Add to this the idealisation of partying on social media and in popular culture, and people, especially young people, could be forgiven for thinking that binge drinking is just a natural part of life.
It’s therefore important to challenge this long-held notion that you have to drink in order to have a good time, and instead raise awareness about the very real dangers of sustained alcohol consumption.
2) As a Means to Cope with Stress
Today, the average Brit is facing ever-increasing amounts of stress and financial strain in the face of the Cost-of-Living Crisis.
With wages stagnating and costs of basic essentials like gas, electricity, water and groceries continuing to rise, people more than ever need outlets in order to deal with their mounting stress levels.
When taking our first point into consideration, it’s clear to see how binge-drinking can easily step in to fill this void.
After a long, stressful day at work, people may turn to alcohol to seek relief and comfort, or as a means of distracting themselves from the increasing life pressures they’re facing.
Alternatively, they may cling to the idea of the weekend, where they will have the chance to meet up with friends and drink to achieve the respite they’re craving.
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism is highly dangerous, however, as it can lead people to become dependent – and eventually addicted – to alcohol.
This sense of relief can gradually develop into a habit of binge-drinking – drinking more frequently and in larger quantities.
Over time, they may require even more alcohol to feel the same level of relief, deepening their dependence and reinforcing the harmful cycle. This all too often acts as a slippery slope towards addiction, where both the physical and mental health of the individual become seriously threatened
3) Trauma and Mental Health Challenges
Many people also abuse alcohol to numb themselves to past trauma or mental health challenges.
With the increasing pressures and stresses of modern life, statistics show that mental health issues and disorders are on the rise in the UK.
The number of people with common mental health issues increased by 20% between 1993 to 2014. Meanwhile, a survey by the NHS in 2023 also found that 1 in 5 young people in England aged between 8-25 had a probable mental health disorder in 2023.
With local councils continuing to roll out cuts to public services, mental health services have suffered as a result, struggling to keep pace with the demand for effective mental health treatment.
Increasing numbers of people are therefore turning to drink in order to self-medicate and cope with their trauma and mental health challenges.
4) As a Means of Socialising
Similar to our first point, many people end up developing a drinking habit as drinking is the only means by which they have a chance of socialising with others.
Whether it’s only seeing friends in the pub or at parties, where drinking is largely expected of them, or it’s other activities where drinking is commonplace, like at football matches or meals out, drinking for many becomes an almost ritualistic part of their life if they want to socialise.
Binge drinking can, therefore, very quickly become a hobby, an activity in and of itself that people routinely pursue.
This issue is made worse by the fact that Brits today have fewer and fewer places to meet up and socialise.
The BBC reports that more than 350 leisure centres, pools and gyms have closed across the UK in the wake of rising energy costs.
Since 2010, at least 1,243 council-run youth centres have also closed in the UK, whilst other public facilities like libraries have also seen a significant decline.
With fewer social spaces, adults and young people may increasingly turn to activities that involve alcohol in order to meet up in public and socialise.
5) Family History
A family history of alcohol misuse can significantly increase a person’s likelihood of developing similar habits later in life.
This is due to both genetic and environmental factors. Children raised in homes where heavy drinking is normalised may grow up believing that excessive alcohol use is an acceptable way to manage emotions or celebrate life’s events.
Additionally, genetics can predispose individuals to addictive behaviours, including alcohol dependence.
The presence of alcohol-related trauma in the home, such as abuse, neglect, or instability, can further complicate this risk, leading to early exposure and emotional distress. This dynamic can perpetuate a generational cycle of alcohol misuse.
6) They were introduced at a young age
Being introduced to alcohol early in life – whether through family, peers, or culture – can also greatly increase the chances of long-term misuse.
Early exposure often happens in unsupervised environments, where boundaries are unclear and binge drinking can appear “fun” or risk-free.
Adolescents’ brains are still developing, especially in areas that regulate impulse control and decision-making.
A recent report found that the UK has some of the worst averages for underage drinking across Europe, with over 50% of 13 year olds reporting they had drunk at least one alcoholic beverage in their life.
Drinking at a young age can disrupt teenagers’ development and again lead to a slippery slope of increased alcohol consumption and an increased likelihood of developing an addiction.
7) Loneliness
The UK is also currently experiencing an acute loneliness epidemic. According to Mind’s ‘Big Mental Health Report 2024’, 7.8% of UK adults reported feeling lonely either ‘always or often’ after being surveyed.
In a 2022 survey, 49% of adults also reported feeling occasionally lonely, around 25.99 million people.
With fewer public meeting places, rising costs, and the increasing digitalisation of modern life, many young people and old people are feeling more disconnected from society than ever.
Without meaningful social connections, individuals may turn to alcohol as a substitute for companionship and emotional support. Drinking alone can quickly become habitual, offering temporary relief from an inner feeling of emptiness.
Unfortunately, this often worsens the problem, as alcohol can increase depressive symptoms and reduce motivation to seek help or to make the effort to build new relationships.
Over time, this cycle of isolation and drinking can deepen, making recovery more difficult and the individual more vulnerable to long-term harm.
Why People Abuse Alcohol: Final Thoughts
People abuse alcohol for a variety of reasons, and in this blog, we have covered just some of the most prevalent reasons as to why alcohol abuse is on the rise in the UK.
From social pressure and mental health challenges, to one’s upbringing and ways of coping with stress, everyone has different reasons for abusing alcohol, whether they are aware of it or not.
With Alcohol Awareness Week just around the corner, this blog has been an attempt to open up space where we can discuss these reasons, break down the stigma surrounding them, and raise awareness of their tendency to lead to deeper issues with alcohol.
Reach out to New Leaf for Support Today
Here at New Leaf, we’ve witnessed all too many times how a habit of binge drinking can spiral into a much deeper and more dangerous issue with alcohol.
Consistent heavy drinking can lead to dependency and eventually addiction, as the user becomes accustomed to the feeling of release that alcohol temporarily provides.
At a time when life stress, financial strain, mental health challenges, and loneliness have arguably never been greater in the UK, we need compassion and support for these issues more than ever.
If you’re concerned about the alcohol habits of yourself or a loved one and fear you may be dependent on alcohol, reach out to New Leaf Recovery today. We offer support and compassion, not judgment, and will be ready to help you plot a brighter course forward, for now and forever.
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