1 in 4 Londoners don’t believe alcohol is addictive, new data shows
New data reveals Londoners are the least likely people in Britain to recognise alcohol as addictive, despite nearly one in five UK adults drinking at hazardous levels and concerns that summer socialising could drive alcohol consumption even higher.
As temperatures rise, beer gardens fill and football fans prepare for a summer of major sporting events, health experts are warning that many Londoners may be overlooking alcohol’s addictive potential at a time when drinking habits often increase.
The warning comes as figures show that adults consume an average of 10.7 litres of pure alcohol per person each year, which works out at around 21 UK units per week – approximately nine pints of beer or seven large glasses of wine.
However, the recommended maximum intake is 14 units per week, spread over at least three days and including alcohol-free days. Despite this guidance, summer activities such as festivals, social events, outdoor dining, and major sporting occasions are expected to encourage higher alcohol consumption, with many people likely to exceed the recommended limit.
According to recent figures, 18% of adults drink at hazardous levels or above, while men are more than twice as likely as women to fall into this category (24.8% compared with 11.7%). Meanwhile, an estimated 600,000 adults in England are believed to be alcohol dependent.
Despite widespread awareness of alcohol’s addictive nature, drinking habits across the UK remain a growing concern.
New YouGov data reveals that Londoners are less likely than any other region of Britain to view alcohol as addictive. Just 69% of London respondents described alcohol as addictive, compared with a national average of 78%.
Meanwhile, nearly a quarter (24%) of Londoners said alcohol is either not very addictive or not addictive at all, significantly higher than the national average of 18% and the highest proportion of any UK region surveyed.
Regional differences were apparent. Respondents in Wales were the most likely to recognise alcohol as addictive (86%), followed by Scotland (83%).
From what you know, how addictive do you think alcohol is?
London
South
Midlands
North
Scotland
Wales
Addictive
69%
77%
81%
81%
83%
86%
Not Addictive
24%
19%
17%
17%
14%
14%
Experts say the findings highlight an important disconnect between public understanding and drinking behaviour. While most people acknowledge alcohol’s addictive properties, millions continue to consume it regularly, with nearly one in five adults drinking at hazardous levels or above.
Health professionals suggest London’s lower awareness may reflect the capital’s diverse drinking culture and the central role that pubs, bars, restaurants and social events play in everyday life.
