Number of women drinking heavily on the increase

Whether it’s the cut price wine promotions that we’ve become used to, or women’s increased independence and financial security in today’s society, a 30 year study published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has revealed that the number of women regularly drinking heavily has almost doubled.

While the proportion of men regularly binge drinking increased by 1% between 1998 and 2006, from 22% to 23%, the proportion of women almost doubled from 8% to 15% over the same eight year period.

What comes as a big surprise is that it is not just young women who are causing the gender gap to narrow when it comes to drinking; the study also found that the average weekly alcohol unit consumption of women aged over 65 rose from 2.7 to 5.1 units between 1992 and 2006.

With the increased risks women have of developing liver disease and breast cancer from prolonged heavy drinking, as well as greater difficulties conceiving children, the fact that women are catching up with men is not a good thing.

So if you think you could be regularly drinking over the daily recommended guidelines (2-3 alcohol units for women and 3-4 units for men), take time out and familiarise yourself with what it could be doing to your liver and long term health in general.

The quality of sleep you’re getting and your all around well-being could also be taking a knock as a result of frequent drinking. Drinking less regularly and keeping track of how many alcohol units you are consuming when you do are positive steps in the right direction.     

The full Drinking in the UK: An exploration of trends study can be viewed on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website.

Page last updated by

Root User, 19 Apr 2010.

Page checked on

06 May 2009