What type of drinker are you?

The Department of Health has identified 9 types of heavy drinker and their motivation for drinking.

The research found that heavy drinkers – men who drank more than 50 units a week and women who drank more than 35 – did so for a number of reasons, ranging from stress at work to depression and general dissatisfaction with life.

The results are worth reading, even for moderate drinkers. So what type of drinker are you?

De-stress drinker

These are people who use alcohol to help them unwind and relax after a stressful day at work or at home. De-stress drinkers are often middle class men and women.

Conformist drinker

Typically traditional men aged between 45 and 59, in clerical or manual jobs. Driven by a need to belong, they like structure in their lives, and see going to the pub as part of their routine.

Depressed drinker

These can belong to any age, sex or socio-economic group. Heavy drinking may be in response to a personal crisis – family bereavement, divorce, financial problems – and use alcohol as a form of self-medication.

Re-bonding drinker

Are busy, busy, busy all the time. They keep in touch with friends over a drink, and often lose track of how much they are drinking.

Community drinker

Drink with large groups of friends. Usually lower middle class men and women who view their pub group as their community.

Boredom drinker

Drink to pass the time and relieve monotony. This group typically includes single mums, people recently divorced and others whose social lives are restricted.

Macho drinker

Men of all ages fall into this group. Spend most of their spare time in the pub. Often feel a need to stand out from the crowd. Drinking (heavily) helps to assert their masculinity.

Hedonistic drinker

Can’t wait to get drunk, stand out from the crowd and abandon control. Use alcohol to reduce inhibitions. People featuring in this group include those who are single, divorced and empty-nesters.

Border dependents

Mostly men who regard the pub as a home-from-home. Regularly visit the pub including both lunchtime and evening, as well as at week-ends. Motivated by a number of reasons including boredom, need to conform and general dissatisfaction with life.

This article was published on Tue 1 December 2009