Dr Zoe Williams encourages drinkers to find their balance with alcohol
NHS GP and TV presenter Dr Zoe Williams has teamed up with UK alcohol charity Drinkaware to help people understand their drinking habits and make informed choices, as the charity’s new research suggests that alcohol remains a blind spot for many.
Across the country, people are becoming increasingly focused on understanding their health, tracking everything from steps and sleep patterns to calories and heart rate. Recent research shows that nearly eight in ten (79%) UK adults actively monitor aspects of their health1, and this can encourage positive behavioural changes. Studies link the use of activity trackers to around 1,800 additional steps a day and increased physical activity2.
However, while people are taking important steps to understand metrics such as sleep, exercise and heart health, new research from Drinkaware finds that only 13% of UK drinkers are currently recording how much alcohol they are consuming.
The findings suggest that many may not consider or be aware of the role alcohol plays within the wider picture of their health and wellbeing. Just 15% of drinkers report being concerned about the impact their drinking could have on their health. This only rises to 36% among people who have reported drinking above the UK Chief Medical Officers’ low risk drinking guidelines of 14 units a week, despite NHS warnings that regularly exceeding these guidelines can increase the risk of long-term health harms3. Fourteen units is equal to around six pints of beer or six medium glasses of wine.
Almost a quarter (24%) of drinkers who are unconcerned about alcohol’s impact on their health say this is because they do other things which outweigh any negative effects of drinking, such as exercising regularly or eating a healthy diet.
Dr Zoe Williams, NHS GP and TV presenter, says: “Patients often come to me because they’re struggling with their sleep, feeling constantly tired or wondering why they’re not feeling their best. What’s striking is that many are already doing lots of the right things. They’re exercising regularly and eating well, but alcohol isn’t on their radar.
“By learning more about your drinking and exploring the choices available to you, you can find an approach that fits your lifestyle. Finding your balance with alcohol isn’t about giving something up or missing out. It’s about discovering what you could gain from making small changes that work for you. For some people, that might mean more energy, better sleep, or simply feeling more in control of their choices.”
Drinkaware’s new research finds that despite more than eight million people (19%) drinking above the recommended low risk guidelines, 42% of this group don’t think there is anything they need to change about their drinking. Among those who have not cut back on their drinking in the past year, over a third (34%) say it has never crossed their mind to do so.
However, among those who have cut back, many report improvements in their health and wellbeing. Over a third (35%) feel healthier, while 31% report sleeping better. Meanwhile, 23% say they have lost weight, a fifth (21%) are in a better frame of mind and 17% report having more energy.
Lee l’Anson, 49, from Otley in Yorkshire, used to drink around 15 to 20 pints a week but through working with Drinkaware has begun to pay closer attention to his drinking habits and the impact alcohol has on his life. He says: “At my age, you risk serious health complications down the line if you don’t look after yourself. I see some of my friends who are a couple of years older, with similar active lifestyles to me, and their health problems make me want to do better. Now those changes also include reducing my alcohol intake, as before this, I never knew how much of an effect it had on my health and fitness."
“It's not about cutting out drinking completely but being honest and understanding yourself. I would say I had a couple of drinks, then looked at my bank account and saw I had eight. By tracking my intake, I have now come to realise how much those few pints were each time and how much it was really impacting things like my sleep, energy and overall wellbeing.”
Karen Tyrell, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says: "It's encouraging to see so many people taking an active interest in their health and using data to better understand their wellbeing. Yet alcohol is often missing from that conversation, despite the role it can play in our sleep, energy, mood and overall health. At Drinkaware, we want to help people better understand their relationship with alcohol and give them the practical tools and support to find a balance that works for them."
“It's not about being perfect. It's about understanding your habits, exploring your options and making choices that work for you. Whether that's choosing an alcohol-free alternative, taking a pause between drinks, setting small goals or simply becoming more mindful of your drinking, small changes can make a meaningful difference over time."
To help people better understand their drinking habits and find their balance, Drinkaware offers a range of free tools and resources on its website.