Increasing number of young people in the UK have been shunning alcohol from their lives, a new study has found.
Figures published early this month show an 11 percent increase in non-drinking under 25s between 2005 and 2015.
The proportion of non-whites youths that have abstained from drinking has also increased by 24 percent, from 54% in 2005 to 68% in 2015.
While the factor that is driving this change is unknown, the study by BMC Public Health said: “Research has established a social gradient in non-drinking.
“Non-drinkers are more likely to have lower education, lower income, live in the most deprived areas and be unemployed compared with those who drink alcohol in moderate amounts.
“Furthermore, poor health being a reason for abstaining is well established.
“However, it is possible that increases in abstention may be due to health promoting reasons and the emerging evidence of the link between any alcohol consumption and the risk of cancer and obesity.”
Cultural and social reasons
Cultural and social upbringing may also play a role in changing attitudes towards alcohol.
The problem of binge drinking among students has been linked to the normalisation of alcohol use in universities through events such as fresher’s parties and drinking games.
When Sukh Sohal, 24, was in university, his friends would get together for pre-drinks before going out.
He said he enjoyed his time in university just as much as anyone else but he completed his studies without drinking alcohol.
“I had just accepted the fact that I wasn’t going to do that. My friends accepted it too and didn’t pressurise me.
“I have conditioned myself in a way if I don’t find something enjoyable, I won’t do it. I can go to a club and have a good time without drinking.”
Mr Sohal said the reason behind his abstention from alcohol was a result of the issues caused by his father’s excessive drinking problem.
“When my dad drinks, it brings pressure and detriment upon my mom and my family life.
“I’d rather not drink and be in that condition of not able to be there for my family members.”
Mandeep Dubb, 24, also has a close friend who does not drink alcohol because of his experiences with his father’s alcoholism.
“When you witness someone you love dearly, when you have seen them like that thought your childhood, that will shape you.”
For Mr Dubb, however, it is the other way around. He and his brother are the only ones in the family that drink alcohol.
“Just while growing up it was something my peer group was doing. I lived in an area where I had mixed British friends and it was seen as the norm. I continued that.
“I guess it is the culture, isn’t it? No one questions it. It is only if you are abusing it people look around and ask if you are okay.
“My parents don’t drink. Me and my older brother are the only ones in my family that drink. Every time we go out with the family for a meal we get a bottle of wine and it is frowned upon.”
University drinking culture
Mr Dubb also said drinking culture in universities may lead young people, who have only occasionally had alcohol before, to drink heavily.
“Some times I have met people who lived in a bubble. When they’re growing up they had to get back home at a certain point from a night out.
“When they go to university, they have never been free before, never been in that environment where everyone is drinking.”
However, Mr Dubb said he can get through long periods without drinking alcohol.
“This Sumer there was a lot of weddings I attended, so I was drinking quite heavily.
“For the last couple of months I have cut down because I am aware I am drinking heavily.
“I go long periods without drinking. I would be walking looking at shops and pubs and I am like, ‘no, there’s no need to drink.’”
Shreya Datta, 22, who recently graduated from the University of Warwick, said she and her friends would binge drink on occasions during the first year of her studies.
“On certain occasions when I used to go out I would drink just to get drunk, but now I sort of like the taste of alcohol.
“In university it was socially acceptable to drink for the hell of it. It was like you don’t really want to get to a place without pre drinking. If you went to an event you’re not going to enjoy it.
“So I think I have realised that university life is very dependent on alcohol.”
Sanam Arora, Chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU), which supports British and international students, said excessive alcohol use among Indian students is rare.
“Contrary to what is said a lot, I don’t think there’s a significant alcohol use among Indian students in the UK. We don’t come across major alcohol abuse stories.
“There can be significant alcohol use doing the fresher’s period. There may or may not be illegal drug use as well, so they can be in dangerous territory.
“Our one message would be to warn people [against excessive alcohol use] in that period.”
