With 11% of drinkers consuming more than 20 units a week, Confused.com reveals what the UK alcohol landscape looks like in 2025.
- Almost a quarter (23%) of alcohol drinkers said they consume more than 14 units a week, which is the weekly limit advised by the NHS.
- Over a quarter (26%) have increased their alcohol consumption in the past 5 years.
- 1 in 7 (15%) said they weren't truthful on medical forms due to not wanting to be judged by a medical professional.
- Confused.com life insurance investigates changing drinking habits of Brits.
Almost 2 in 5 (38%) Brits admit to lying about their alcohol consumption on medical forms, new research reveals.
That's according to a new study by Confused.com life insurance, which found many people aren’t truthful on medical forms. They do this because they fear being judged or that it might impact their medical record.
This study looked at adults who drink at least one unit of alcohol per week. It explores shifting alcohol consumption trends in the UK by asking about their weekly alcohol consumption, how their drinking habits have changed, whether they lie on medical forms, and why.
Why do people fabricate their drinking habits on forms?
For those who admit to exaggerating on occasions about their drinking habits on medical forms, over 1 in 7 (15%) did so to avoid judgement from a medical professional. This is followed by just over 1 in 10 (11%) feeling both embarrassed about the amount they drink and being unaware of how many units they drink.
Meanwhile, 1 in 10 (10%) feel pressure to appear healthy. And 8% are worried it will remain on their medical records, and therefore aren’t always truthful with their consumption habits.
How much are Brits drinking?
As part of the research, Confused.com asked Brits how many units of alcohol they consume weekly on average. The majority (59%) drink less than 10 units a week, with 3-4 units being the most common amount, accounting for just under a fifth (17%) of drinkers.
Almost a quarter (23%) of people admitted to drinking more than the NHS recommended limit of 14 units a week. In fact, more than 1 in 10 (11%) are drinking over 20 units a week, making this the third most common amount after 3-4 units (17%) and 5-6 units (15%).
Drinking patterns vary by age. For example, 16% of those aged 55-64 and 15% of over-65s are drinking more than 20 units a week. In contrast, only 5% of 18-24-year-olds drink that much. This is likely because younger people are becoming more health-conscious; 37% of 18-24-year-old drinkers now consume just 5-6 units a week.
How have drinking habits changed?
Confused.com also asked people how their drinking habits had changed over the past 5 years. While just over a quarter (26%) said they were drinking more, 28% have reported a decrease in their intake.
When looking at age groups, those aged 25-34 saw the biggest increase in alcohol consumption. Almost half (47%) in this group admitted to drinking more. While the 18-24 age group also saw a rise, this was primarily due to many turning 18 during that period.
Despite drinking more units overall than younger generations, those aged 55-64 and 65+ are reducing their alcohol intake the most. A third (33%) of both groups have cut back on drinking.
For people who increased their alcohol intake in the last 5 years, 2 in 5 (41%) said they now drink more casually. The second most common reason, reported by over a third (36%), is that drinking has become a habit. Almost a third (29%) said it was due to increased stress and mental health struggles, and for 16%, it was to cope with professional challenges.
Meanwhile, nearly half (47%) of people have decreased their intake for health and fitness reasons. This trend continues with a third (35%) saying that they have become more aware of alcohol’s impact on their wellbeing, and just over 1 in 10 (12%) receiving medical advice to reduce their alcohol consumption.
As Brits look to lower their alcohol intake, an increasing number of people are also choosing lower and non alcoholic drink options more frequently, with 38% of drinkers consuming them semi-regularly(1).
Tom Vaughan, life insurance expert at Confused.com, comments, “A lot of people think that lying about their drinking on medical forms can help them avoid a difficult conversation, but it’s really not helpful in the long run. Health professionals are here to support you, and being truthful about your alcohol consumption can help when it comes to diagnosing and treating problems that may be linked to alcohol consumption.
“Fabricating your alcohol intake can also impact other types of forms. For example, if you’re not truthful on a life insurance application, your coverage could be invalid. It’s really important to be honest in any form that has a major impact on both yourself and those around you.
“For those who struggle with their alcohol intake, there are health services and charities that can help and support you. Alcoholics Anonymous is the most well-known of these services, as well as Drinkline, the national alcohol helpline. The NHS, Drinkaware, and Alcohol Change UK sites are all great resources for finding out more about the help available. Your GP is also one of the best people to talk to if you’re struggling, and being honest with them about your consumption may be the first step in making some positive changes.”
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