Brits in denial over effects of too much booze

According to new research Brits are in denial over the affect that drinking too much has on their health.

According to the insurance company Legal & General, when asked, only 12% of adults are concerned about the effects of drinking too much on their health.

Legal & General say regardless of the fact that alcohol-related deaths almost doubled in the last 15 years, men and women are more concerned about lack of exercise and sleep and too much stress.

As part of the Health Uncovered Index, Legal & General surveyed a total of 4,640 Britons about their health and welfare concerns over the last three months.

The research, which is now in its fourth phase, has shown a consistently low level of concern over the health impacts of drinking too much.

The research suggests that 16 to 24-year-olds were the biggest binge drinkers, with 32% of men and 24% of women in that age group admitting to excess drinking.

The survey indicated a total of 26% of full-time students were concerned about the effects of drinking too much on their health, compared with 12% nationally.

Legal & General's Chris Rolland says the record levels of alcohol-related illnesses being reported in British hospitals and the low level of concern of drinking too much expressed by the research findings, suggests that there is a gap in people's understanding of the effect drinking too much can have on their health.

The Department of Health says the government is making great efforts to encourage responsible drinking with the launch of a multimillion-pound responsible drinking campaign - Know Your Limits - which urges people to take responsibility for their drinking levels.

Experts on addiction say many people don't realise that drinking too much alcohol simply exacerbates problems such as stress and disturbed sleeping patterns the very issues that survey participants appear to be very worried about.