Adult Drinking Patterns Survey in Northern Ireland 2011
A research report providing results from a survey of adult drinking in Northern Ireland has been published today.
~ Wednesday, 18 January 2012
The survey, conducted on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, examines the amount people drink, when, where and what they drink and who they drink with.
It also examines how drinking behaviours vary across different sections of the public, the proportion of people who binge drink, problem drinking, and perceptions of drinking.
Key Findings
Alcohol Consumption:]
- More than seven out of ten (74%) adults drink alcohol.
- A larger proportion of males (78%) than females (72%) drink alcohol.
- Younger adults (18-29 years) are more likely to drink than older adults (60-75 years).
Frequency of Drinking:
- Around half (52%) of drinkers reported drinking alcohol at least once a week or more frequently (6% of respondents reported drinking on an almost daily basis).
- A greater proportion of male respondents (8%) compared to females (5%) reported drinking alcohol daily or on most days.
Drinking Behaviour
The following results are based on those respondents who drank alcohol in the week prior to the survey.
Days on which drinking occurs:
- Most drinking occurs over the weekend and peaks on Saturdays.
Type of drinks consumed:
- The most common drinks consumed were wine (48%) and beer (47%).
Where and with whom people drink:
- Most of those who drank in the week prior to the survey had either consumed alcohol at home (64%), in the pub (20%) or at someone else’s home (20%).
Drinking Levels
Recommended daily drinking limits:
- Around eight in ten respondents (78%) reported having reached or exceeded the recommended daily limit for drinking on at least one occasion in the week prior to the survey.
- 18% of male drinkers reached or exceeded the recommended daily limits on three or more days that week, compared to 16% of female drinkers.
- The recommended daily limits are exceeded most often on a Saturday (53% of drinkers) and on a Friday (31% of drinkers).
Weekly guidelines for sensible drinking:
- More females (80%) compared to males (74%) stayed within the weekly guidelines for sensible drinking limits.
Binge Drinking:
- Three in ten (30%) of those who drank in the week before the survey had engaged in at least one binge drinking session.
- Males (35%) are more likely than females (25%) to binge drink.
- Half (50%) of respondents in the youngest age group (18-29) who drank in the week prior to the survey had engaged in at least one binge drinking session compared to 13% of respondents in the oldest age group (60-75).
Problem Drinking:
- CAGE question analysis (clinical interview questions) indicated that one in ten (9%) of those who drank in the week prior to the survey are likely to have a problem with alcohol.
- Six in ten (61%) of those who consumed alcohol in the week prior to the survey consider themselves to be light drinkers.
- Just over one third (36%) consider themselves to be moderate drinkers and 3% consider themselves to be heavy drinkers.
Notes to editors:
1. The Public Health Information and Research Branch within Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety commissioned the Central Survey Unit in the Department of Finance and Personnel to conduct this survey.
2. The survey was conducted between 3 May 2011 and 8 July 2011. During this time 2,028 computer-assisted face-to-face interviews were conducted.
3. The current recommended daily drinking limits state that drinking four or more units of alcohol a day for males and three or more units a day for females increases alcohol-related health risks.
4. Levels of alcohol consumption can be banded into weekly guidelines for sensible drinking. On a weekly basis, males drinking 21 units or less are considered to be within sensible limits, those drinking between 22 and 50 are considered to be above sensible but below dangerous levels and those drinking 51 units and above are drinking at dangerous levels. The sensible limit for females is 14 units per week, the above sensible and below dangerous level is between 15 and 35 units and dangerous levels are 36 units and above.
5. For the purposes of this study a binge is defined as consuming 10 or more units of alcohol in one session for males and seven or more units of alcohol for females. These are the same levels as were used in the 2008, 2005 and 1999 surveys.
6. This research applied the CAGE question analysis tool, which asks respondents four questions about their drinking. If two or more questions are answered positively then it is highly likely that they have a problem with alcohol.
7. This publication is available online
8. Additional Information is available from:
Public Health Information and Research Branch
Information and Analysis Directorate
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Annex 2
Castle Buildings
Stormont
Belfast BT4 3SQ
Telephone: 028 9052 2607
Fax: 028 9052 3288
E-mail: PHIRB@dhsspsni.gov.uk
9. Media queries about this press release to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
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