Three in five Britons who drink alcohol do so to cope with pressure, a charity has found

Three fifths of adults hit the bottle to cope with everyday life, a survey has revealed.

New research from charity Drinkaware has shown that 58% of all people aged 18-75 who drink alcohol are doing so because it helps them to cope with the pressures of day to day life.

The survey, which looks at adult drinking patterns in the UK, also found 38% of men and women who said they had drunk alcohol in the last year had done so to forget their problems at least some of the time. And 47% said they had done so to cheer themselves up when in a bad mood.

The charity has said alcohol cannot provide an answer to problems people may experience.

Drinkaware chief executive Elaine Hindal said: “January can be a difficult time of year for many people and families up and down the country when day to day concerns about finances and debt come sharply into focus.

“What this thought provoking survey shows is that a worrying number of people are drinking alcohol to help them cope with the pressures of day to day life.

“Whilst people might think having a drink after a hard day can help them relax, in the long run it can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety and make stress harder to deal with. This is because regular, heavy drinking interferes with the neurotransmitters in our brains that are needed for good mental health.

“The number of people who are drinking when they are already feeling depressed or nervous, and at levels which are harmful to both their physical and mental health is also deeply concerning.”

More information on the support that Drinkaware provides is available online.