Two thirds of UK drinkers intend to drink more over Christmas according to alcohol-harm charity Drinkaware

This increases to three quarters (75%) when talking about young adults (18-34 year olds). Young adults are twice as likely to feel pressure to drink from friends (31%) over the festive period compared to all adults (16%). They will also have fewer drink free days during this time (57% compared to 45% for all adults). 

However, 18-34 year old drinkers are more likely to consume low (54%) or alcohol free (54%) drinks over the festive period compared to all adults (29% low alcohol, 32% alcohol free). This has led to a new phrase ‘zebra striping’ coming into use, the practice of alternating between alcohol and alcohol free drinks on a night out. 

The survey found that wine was the most popular choice for a drink on Christmas Day, with three quarters (75%) of drinkers expecting to have at least one medium glass. Over half of adults (57%) will binge drink on Christmas Day, that means drinking six or more units for women and eight or more units for men. Which is around four medium glasses of wine for a man or three medium glasses of wine for a woman. 

Karen Tyrell, CEO of the charity Drinkaware said: 

“Christmas is always great for spending time with friends and family, and our survey shows alcohol is often at the heart of that, especially for young adults.  

“If you are choosing to drink always keep an eye on the overall amount you’re drinking as it can easily add up. The Chief Medical Officers’ low risk drinking guidelines recommends not to drink more than 14 units over a week. This equates to around six standard glasses of wine or six pints, spread evenly over the week with several drink free days.  

“It is good to see more young adults opting for no and low alcohol drinks. They’re a good way to help you moderate your drinking, when swapped for an alcoholic drink, especially if you are going out more in the next few weeks. 

“It can be very easy to get carried away over the festive season, a good way to find out how your drinking is affecting your health is to take the Drinkaware Drinking Check. It is quick and easy and provides you with great personalised advice.” 

After Christmas, the survey showed that more than half (56%) of drinkers intend to reduce their alcohol consumption in 2025. Drink free days are the most popular option (19%), followed by going out less socially (16%), staying off alcohol for a fixed time period (15%), avoiding drinking on a ‘work/school night’ (15%) and setting a drinking limit e.g. just a glass/bottle (15%). 

You can take the Drinkaware Drinking Check and get top tips on how to moderate your drinking at drinkaware.co.uk 

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NOTES TO EDITORS:  

This online survey of 2,300 UK Adults (nationally representative on the basis of age, gender, and region) was commissioned by Drinkaware and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society's code of conduct. Data was collected between 11th and 18th November 2024. All participants are double-opted in to take part in research and are paid an amount depending on the length and complexity of the survey. This survey was overseen and edited by the OnePoll research team. OnePoll are MRS Company Partners, corporate membership of ESOMAR and Members of the British Polling Council.  

Gender, Age, Region 

• Female (51%) and Male (49%) 
• 18 to 34 (27%); 35 to 54 (33%); 55+ (40%). 
• East Midlands (7%); East of England (9%); London (13%); North East (4%); North West (11%); Northern Ireland (3%); Scotland (8%); South East (14%); South West (9%); Wales (5%); West Midlands (8%); Yorkshire and the Humber (8%). 

Drinkers/non-drinkers 

• Drinkers (88%); Non-drinker (12%) 
• Drinkers: Men (89%); Female (87%) 18 to 34 (86%); 35 to 54 (91%); 55+ (87%) 
• Non-drinkers: Men (11%); Female (13%), 18 to 34 (14%); 35 to 54 (9%); 55+ (13%) 

Drinkaware is the UK’s leading alcohol charity which aims to reduce alcohol harm. We achieve this by providing impartial, evidence-based information, advice and practical resources; raising awareness of alcohol and its harms and working collaboratively with partners. 

Founded in 2006 by the UK Government, the devolved administrations and the alcohol industry, Drinkaware is funded by unrestricted voluntary donations from more than 120 organisations. These include UK alcohol producers, retailers, supermarkets, venues, restaurant groups and sports associations. 

The Chief Medical Officers' guideline for both men and women state that:  

• To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis.  
• If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it's best to spread your drinking evenly over three or more days. If you have one or two heavy drinking episodes a week, you increase your risk of long-term illness and injury.  
• The risk of developing a range of health problems (including cancers of the mouth, throat and breast) increases the more you drink on a regular basis.  
• If you wish to cut down the amount you drink, a good way to help achieve this is to have several drink-free days a week.  
• If you are pregnant or think you could become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all, to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.  
• Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to the baby, with the more you drink the greater the risk.  

Binge drinking is defined as ‘drinking heavily over a short space of time’. More than eight units of alcohol in a single session for males, or more than six units in a single session for females is the technical definition. That’s equivalent to about four pints of normal strength beer or four medium glasses of wine for a man or three pints or three medium glasses of wine for a woman.