22 March 2010
Experts at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are encouraging local people to think twice about having 'one last drink', as new figures from the Department of Health show that peer pressure to binge drink could all be in our minds.
A YouGov poll of more than 2,000 adults suggests that 22% of people blame peer pressure when they drink more than they planned to, while 39% feel the need to make up an excuse or lie to justify refusing a drink.
But, the poll, which was commissioned by the Department of Health, shows this could all be unnecessary, as it appears peer pressure hardly exists. It showed:
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only 1% of adults who drink think less of people who refuse a drink or choose to drink less than them;
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just 4% of people expect their friends to keep up with them when drinking;
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only 2% admit to piling on the pressure for friends to drink more when they don't want to.
Dr Sameer Zar is one of the Trust's consultant gastroenterologists and treats people who suffer from chronic liver failure. He said: "These new figures show local people that they don't need to binge drink, and to think twice if they feel pressured by their friends to drink more.
"In reality, nobody really minds when a friend calls it a night if they feel they've had enough, or when our partner doesn't fancy sharing a bottle at home - and we should all feel confident enough to say no.
"The number of people being admitted to our hospitals with alcohol related illnesses has increased significantly in recent years, and perhaps the perception of peer pressure plays a part in that rise."
Trust figures show that in 2002/03, 234 people were admitted to its hospitals because of drinking alcohol, compared to 513 in 2008/09 - a rise of almost 120 per cent.
The NHS recommends women do not regularly drink more than two - three units a day (about two small glasses of wine), whilst men should not regularly drink more than three - four units (about two pints of beer).
Rather than having to resort to bending the truth to avoid drinking, those wanting to drink less could try the following tips:
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Take it a day at a time: try and cut back a little every day. Each day you cut back is a success;
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Make it a smaller one: you can still enjoy a drink but have less. Try bottled beer instead of a pint or a small glass of wine instead of a large one;
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Have a lower strength drink: manage how much you drink by swapping a strong strength beer or wine for one with a lower alcohol level;
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Take a break: have the odd day here and there when you don't have a drink.
More information and tips are available at www.nhs.uk/drinking, where an interactive drinks tracker can help you work out if you are regularly drinking above the NHS recommended limits.
