Following on from my column last month about the effects of alcohol on the body, I came across this interesting article during my research. I do not doubt for one moment that we all know somebody who fits into one or perhaps more of the descriptions below.
As part of the UK government´s wider campaign to tackle alcohol misuse and its related health and social problems, research carried out by the Department of Health has identified that heavy drinkers often fall into one of nine categories. These have been identified as follows:
• De-stress drinkers – use alcohol to relax and unwind, and to gain control of their life. They are typically middle class with a stressful home life or pressurised job.
• Depressed drinkers – use alcohol as a source of comfort and security. Their life is generally in a state of crisis, perhaps due to bereavement, divorce or financial problems.
• Boredom drinkers – drink to pass the time or to mark the end of the day.
They are often solitary women, perhaps with a limited social life.
• Conformist drinkers – are driven by a need to belong and they often make routine visits to the pub. They are mostly men in their late 40s and 50s.
• Community drinkers – seek stimulation and a sense of belonging. They are usually lower middle class men and women who drink as part of a large group of friends.
• Re-bonding drinkers – connect with those close to them through alcohol. They may drink every evening or have a busy social life.
• Macho drinkers – are driven by a need to assert their status. They are usually men.
• Hedonistic drinkers – crave stimulation or want to abandon control, often drinking in order to get drunk. They are usually single or divorced with grown up children.
• Border dependents – practically ´live` in the pub/bar. They are often bored, unfulfilled and need to conform.
A spokesperson from Alcohol Concern commented: ´ In order to get people to examine their drinking they need to become aware of why they are doing it and what motivates them.`
Source: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol and www.bbc.co.uk
