Peer pressure in drinkers' minds?

Tuesday March 2nd, 2010

People who blame others for pressurising them to drink may be imagining things, it was claimed yesterday.

According to a new survey of the British people, very few drinkers look askance at those who do not match their intake.

And most do not expect their friends to keep up with them.

The YouGov poll of some 2,000 adults found that just two per cent admitted to putting pressure on friends to drink more.

In contrast, some 22 per cent blamed peer pressure for their drinking excessively. And 39 per cent said they found it hard to refuse a drink, feeling the need to make excuses.

Gillian Merron, UK public health minister, said: "Many of us enjoy a drink - drinking sensibly isn't a problem, but too many are regularly drinking more than the NHS advises.

"This means you're at higher risk of getting cancer or having a stroke or heart attack. This survey should encourage us all that it is ok to be honest with our friends about when we've had enough."

Meanwhile doctors in Scotland called on women to avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

The country's British Medical Association said there were are a range of conditions that are "completely preventable" by avoiding alcohol.

These include learning difficulties, physical disability and behaviour problems linked to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Scottish BMA chairman Dr Brian Keighley said: "The lack of awareness and research in the UK on this subject, together with the complexity of the syndrome itself is leading to delays in diagnosis and referral.

"Healthcare professionals also need to get the message across to expectant mothers that consuming alcohol can cause irreversible harm to their unborn child.

"It's about giving people the right information so that they can act responsibly - and save children from completely preventable life-long disabilities."

Tags: Childbirth and Pregnancy | Drug and Alcohol Abuse | UK News | Women’s Health & Gynaecology

Printer friendly page