Why Brits Are Lying About Their Drinking Habits in 2025

New research by Confused.com life insurance has revealed that almost 2 in 5 (38%) of Brits are not being truthful about their alcohol consumption on medical forms.

The study highlights how drinking habits in the UK are shifting in 2025, with more people exceeding the NHS weekly limit of 14 units, rising numbers increasing their alcohol intake, and a growing trend toward low and no-alcohol alternatives.

Why Brits Lie About Their Drinking Habits

Among those who admitted to being dishonest, the main reasons were:

Fear of judgment from medical professionals (15%)
Embarrassment about drinking habits (11%)
Unawareness of unit consumption (11%)
Pressure to appear healthy (10%)
Concerns about their habits being recorded permanently (8%)

This suggests that shame and fear of stigma still play a huge role in the way people report alcohol use, despite growing awareness around wellbeing.

How Much Are Brits Really Drinking?

59% of adults drink fewer than 10 units a week, with 3–4 units being the most common (17%).
23% drink more than the NHS recommended 14-unit weekly limit.
11% consume more than 20 units a week, making it the third most common amount after 3–4 units (17%) and 5–6 units (15%).

Age plays a big part in these trends. While only 5% of 18–24-year-olds drink more than 20 units a week, the figure jumps to 16% among 55–64-year-olds and 15% of those over 65.

Younger generations are more health-conscious, with 37% of 18–24-year-olds consuming just 5–6 units a week.

How Habits Have Changed in the Last Five Years

The report found a mixed picture:

26% of Brits have increased their drinking.
28% have cut back.

Age again influences these patterns:

25–34-year-olds saw the largest increase in drinking, with 47% consuming more than five years ago.
Older groups (55–64 and 65+) are most likely to be cutting down, with one-third in each category reducing their intake.

Reasons for increased drinking include:

Drinking more casually (41%)
Habit-forming behaviour (36%)
Stress and mental health struggles (29%)
Coping with professional challenges (16%)

For those cutting back, the top motivations were:

Health and fitness reasons (47%)
Greater awareness of alcohol’s impact (35%)
Medical advice (12%)

The Rise of Low and No-Alcohol Options

Nearly 2 in 5 (38%) Brits are now choosing lower or alcohol-free drinks on a semi-regular basis, showing a steady cultural shift toward mindful drinking.

Expert Advice: Why Honesty Matters

Tom Vaughan, life insurance expert at Confused.com, explains:

“A lot of people think that lying about their drinking on medical forms can help them avoid a difficult conversation, but it’s really not helpful in the long run. Health professionals are here to support you, and being truthful about your alcohol consumption can help when it comes to diagnosing and treating problems that may be linked to alcohol consumption.”

He adds that dishonesty can also invalidate life insurance policies and stresses the importance of honesty on all medical or insurance forms.

For those struggling, support is available through the NHS, Drinkaware, Alcohol Change UK, Drinkline, and Alcoholics Anonymous.

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