A third of Britons drink alcohol because it helps them when they feel depressed or nervous according to Drinkaware
One in three (34%) Britons drink alcohol at least some of the time because they believe it helps them when they feel depressed or nervous according to alcohol education charity Drinkaware.
Worryingly, almost one in eight (12%) admitted that this is their motivation at least half of the time they drink.
This Mental Health Awareness week Drinkaware are encouraging people to consider how their drinking may be contributing to feelings of depression, anxiety or other mental health issues.
Dr. John Larsen, Director of Evidence & Impact at Drinkaware, said:
“For some people, drinking alcohol is a way of trying to relieve feelings of anxiety or depression but drinking may also be a significant cause of their mental health problems.
“A drink can help us feel more confident and less anxious, but, as you drink more, more of the brain starts to be affected.
“In the long run regular excessive drinking can contribute to feelings of depression, anxiety and make stress harder to deal with as it interferes with neurotransmitters in the brain in ways that disrupt good mental health. Drinking can also affect our sleep, which is critical to our wellbeing.
“Drinkaware is committed to helping people to make better choices about their alcohol use. For more information on alcohol and mental health, please visit drinkaware.co.uk.”