People are still far more likely to turn to another person with concerns about their drinking than to AI, according to research by Alcohol Change UK.
‘Despite living in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence’ just 6 per cent of UK adults would turn to an AI platform with questions or concerns about their alcohol use, the charity states. In a survey commissioned to mark Alcohol Awareness Week, more than 40 per cent of respondents said they would first turn to either a healthcare professional or a friend, family member or partner.
Ten per cent, however, said they ‘would not turn anywhere’ if they had concerns about their drinking, while 20 per cent of respondents were non-drinkers. People were also more than twice as likely to rely on traditional search engines for advice than an AI platform.
A recent report from the Alcohol Health Alliance and Alcohol Focus Scotland found that one in five alcohol products sold in the UK failed to meet the voluntary labelling guidelines, with unit information and health warnings either ‘inconsistent’ or ‘wholly absent’. Although alcohol-specific deaths registered in 2024 were 6 per cent down on the previous year’s record high of almost 10,500, the death rate remains higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The theme of this year’s Alcohol Awareness Week, which runs until 12 July, is ‘Alcohol and me’, which invites people to consider the role alcohol plays in their life – and the impact it might be having on their health, relationships and wellbeing. ‘Because alcohol is so normalised, particularly during summer, holidays and major sporting events, it can be easy to overlook the impact it is having,’ says Alcohol Change UK.
‘It’s encouraging that many of us would feel comfortable turning to a healthcare professional, friend or family member about our drinking habits,’ said Alcohol Change UK CEO Dr Richard Piper. ‘Yet, what is striking is that one in ten wouldn’t turn anywhere at all, even if they had questions or concerns about alcohol. We’re determined to change that. Millions of us find our alcohol consumption creeping up over time, but often we don’t pause to think about the impacts it’s having on our health and quality of life and the changes we could make. It’s clear that people seek information and advice in lots of different ways, but what’s important is that they have access to accurate, evidence-based information and inspirational stories that they can identify with.’
More information on Alcohol Awareness Week here