Drinkaware survey states the obvious

Many UK adults admit turning to alcohol to help them relax after a stressful day, the charity Drinkaware has said.

Almost two-thirds (62%) of people aged 30 to 45 drank alcohol to help them unwind.

Nearly half of the 2000 people questioned said they were more likely to drink after a stressful day and more than a third said they thought about having a drink on the way home.

A third of men surveyed who drank at home, and nearly half of women, said they drank above the daily limit – three to four units of alcohol for men and two to three for women.

Most (68%) made sure they had alcohol at home, and 71% said they bought alcohol as part of the weekly grocery shop.

A third sit down in front of the TV after dinner for their first drink, while a quarter had alcohol with their evening meal.

Siobhan McCann, head of campaigns and communications at Drinkaware, said,  “Alcohol can be a “false friend” when you are trying to deal with stress.

“Even though it might seem like a few drinks can relieve the pressures of the day, in the medium to long term it can actually add to them – whether they’re work, financial or family-related.

“Stress can also be an excuse for people to drink more than they should, especially if they don’t realise the negative impact it can have on their health and well-being.”