Alcohol has always had a prominent place in British society, from a pint of beer down the pub to a glass of wine at home after a stressful day. But it feels like it’s becoming less of a social exercise in recent times and a little more problematic.
Stats have shown that around one in six adults binge drink every week, while the number of people arriving in private alcohol centres UK wide is quite staggering. But why has it become such a problem in recent years? Why has the population seemingly taken a backward step when it comes to drinking alcohol responsibly?
Well, there are several reasons for that really, and more does need to be done in terms of education and raising awareness in order to show that the many people who have stepped beyond moderate drinking do need help.
The cost-of-living crisis and political unrest
Naturally, one of the biggest drivers of anti-social behaviour and problems within society is the current economic climate. Part driven by the pandemic, part by some pretty catastrophic political decisions over recent years, times are harder than they have been for a long time.
Typically, that sees people turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, which in turn will lead to more people suffering from addiction. A report released by NHS Scotland a few years ago linked Thatcherism to the rise in drug deaths in the region during the 1980s and 1990s, and that’s a like-for-like reflection of society today.
And not aided by the pandemic
That’s not been helped by the pandemic, for a number of reasons. With more people on furlough or unemployed during the period, again people turned to alcohol as essentially “something to do”, while when lockdown lifted, people found a freedom they’d been missing, hitting nights out that little bit harder and more frequently.
That all adds up and is leading to further dependency on the substance.
Social media and acceptance of this culture
Acceptance of binge drinking as the ‘norm’ on social media has really accelerated such problematic drinking, particularly among younger people. Major sporting events are a good reflection of this, with huge boxing fights and football games, such as the European Championship Finals at Wembley, are awash with anti-social behaviour, all as a result of binge drinking.
That’s becoming the most problematic aspect of it all and doesn’t show any sign of slowing down.
Over the next few years it’s likely to become even more problematic, until things begin to change, whether that be politically, economically or by a change of attitude that will see people condemn irresponsible behaviour as a result of drinking, rather than seeing it as just “banter”.
In truth, it’ll need to be a combination of everything, but how far away a happy and healthier future for Britain is, well the jury is out on that.
