Social drinking on the decline?

From current sources (including Department of Health commissions) of alcohol consumption patterns it would appear that the number of people drinking socially is falling. Research shows that the number drinking at harmful levels now accounts for over 10 million people (appx 25 % of adult population) whereas the number of those abstaining from drinking has risen 50% in the last decade ! So where are the “cafe culture” social drinkers ??? – fast disappearing we think ! In fact when we talk to schoolchildren (and we talk to appx 10,000 Essex children a year) and ask them ” what do you understand by social drinking” They generally reply ” it’s something old people do” !!

Non drinkers up 50% in a decade

Levels of alcohol abstinence have increased from 10% in 1998 to 15% in 2009 (as measured by the General Household Survey General Lifestyle Survey). Alcohol abstainers make up a significant minority in many localities though they are often ignored in discussions about alcohol. The impact of alcohol abstainers must be considered in order to ensure that policies do not segregate major parts of some communities.
(JMU centre for public health)