Introduction
“Alcohol would probably be declared an illegal drug if it were discovered today.”- Professor David Nutt (leading expert on UK drug policy and drug misuse).
Alcohol misuse is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among those aged 15-49 in the UK. Despite this, drinking remains the nation’s favourite pastime. In fact, it is estimated the average UK drinker spends around £50,000 on alcohol during their lifetime. So then, what are the dangers of excessive boozing, and why are they not commonly known?
Alcohol IS a drug
Drinking is so normalised within British culture that many of us don’t even consider alcohol to be a drug, which of course, it is. This false distinction is part of the problem when trying to communicate the potential dangers of alcohol consumption to booze loving Brits. We get “high” when we take other drugs, but we get “drunk” when we consume alcohol. These double standards are no accident, the reason we don’t see alcohol in the same context as “illegal” drugs is largely thanks to the deep pockets of the drinks industry. As one of the most powerful industrial groups in the UK, alcohol companies have spent vast sums of money cosying up to our lawmakers, lobbying against any restrictions that could damage business.
The Harms of Alcohol
Put simply, alcohol is a toxin which kills cells and organisms. With the exception of substances like crack and heroin, alcohol poses far greater health risks to the individual user than most “illegal drugs”. Moreover, due to its widespread consumption, alcohol is the most harmful drug to UK society as a whole. It’s a causal factor in over 60 medical conditions, including many cancers, high blood pressure, cirrhosis of the liver, and depression. To cover these medical costs, along with other factors such as policing, the annual economic burden of alcohol on the UK tax payer is estimated to be between £21-52 billion.
Five Tips For Drinking Less
The current government guidelines recommend that UK adults should not consume more than 14 units of alcohol per week (roughly 6 pints), which speaking from my own personal experience, isn’t exactly going according to plan for most of us. In fact, research suggests that around 25% of UK adults exceed this guidance. So, what can we do to moderate our alcohol consumption?
1. Cold Turkey
The best, and arguably hardest thing to do, is to go completely sober. This is for the people that don’t do half-measures (if you’ll excuse the pun).
2. Plan & Budget
In the cost-of-living crisis we find ourselves in, saving money is a great excuse to start drinking less. Allocate yourself a beer fund every week/month and then when it’s gone, that’s it.
3. Start Weak
If you do find yourself in the position where you’ll be drinking, at least make your first drink a pint of relatively weak beer to fill you up. It will help to reduce your appetite for top-shelf paint stripper later on.
4. The Switcheroo
Ordering yourself a non-alcoholic beer on the sly when it comes to your turn in the round is a sneaky way to limit your alcohol consumption on a night out. This is a high-risk strategy though, so mentally prepare yourself for the onslaught of abuse you’ll receive if you ever get found out.
5. Bigger Isn’t Better
Swapping whole pints for smaller bottled drinks or cans is another easy way to physically limit the amount of alcohol you’re consuming. The selection of bottled beer in a pub is normally more exciting than the draught options anyway, so it won’t even feel like you’re making a sacrifice.
Summary
‘Everybody likes a drink. Nobody likes a drunk.’ Alcohol is a toxin that destroys your cells, and beer is highly calorific, so don’t be disappointed when you aren’t seeing the results you want in the gym if you’re out on the piss every weekend. Life is all about striking the right balance, and drinking is no exception.
Further Reading:
If you’d like to delve deeper into the impact of alcohol at the individual and societal level, I have compiled a short reading list of the resources which helped to inform my understanding of the topic.
Nutt, D. (2012) Drugs: Without The Hot Air. Cambridge: UIT Cambridge.
Public Health England. (2016) The Public Health Burden of Alcohol and the Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Alcohol Control Policies: An Evidence Review. London: Public Health England.