Brits blew £27.4bn on drinking at home in 2024, almost equalling the record amount we spent during the Covid lockdown of 2022. Sinclair Method UK’s Harvey Bhandal says the occasional drink can be a relief from the stress of work and modern life but can we afford to spend near-record sums on alcohol, both financially and for our health?
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) consumer trends report reveals that Brits spent £27.4bn on buying alcoholic drinks for consumption at home last year. That beat 2023’s £24.1bn and was within a dram of 2022’s biggest-ever spend of £27.47bn. That record was set during a period of lockdowns when we were banned from visiting pubs and restaurants.
The figures also reveal we spent a record-breaking £13.1bn on wine and cider for drinking at home last year, topping not only 2023’s previous record of £12.6bn but also 2022’s £11.8bn. Additionally, spirit drinkers spent £7.7bn on drinks such as whisky and gin, while beer lovers swigged £6.5bn-worth.
Harvey Bhandal is the Managing Director of Sinclair Method UK, specialists in medically supervised alcohol reduction. He says: ‘The occasional drink at home can be useful to unwind from the stresses of work and modern life. However, the record amount we spent on alcohol for home consumption last year could point to the fact that too many of us drink far more than the recommended levels. We could be creating health problems for ourselves in the future.
‘Of course, some recent research shows that red wine, in particular, has certain health benefits when consumed in moderation. Red wine polyphenols may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and may have a positive impact on individual human organs. However, the fact that UK adults spent a record £13.1bn on wine and cider to drink at home could indicate that thousands of us are drinking more than a moderate amount.
‘The figures must also make us question whether we can actually afford to go on drinking as much as we have been doing in recent years. With the economic news remaining gloomy and concerns about more pain to come in the Autumn Budget, perhaps a “sober October” would be good for our finances and health.
‘Whatever the reason, some of us find it very hard to cut back on our drinking. Those who habitually drink alone, rather than with friends and family, can find it particularly difficult. An over-dependence on alcohol that gradually builds up over time can catch us unawares. We may tell ourselves that we can cut back at any time but, for some of us, that might be harder than we thought.
‘Fortunately, there are simple, proven treatments that can help prevent alcohol misuse and aid us all in reducing our drinking to a moderate level. One method of reducing alcohol consumption using a pill, supported by online coaching and counselling, has an 80% success rate in curbing problem drinking. This decades-old treatment method – known as The Sinclair Method (TSM) – continues to fly under the radar, yet it could help slash £4.9bn from the NHS budget and reduce some of that £27.4bn record spend on alcohol.’
David Axon, Sinclair Method UK’s Chairman, adds: ‘TSM combines a well-established medication, naltrexone (an opioid-blocking medication), with guided coaching. Research suggests it can help around four out of five people with alcohol dependence to dramatically reduce their drinking or to quit entirely.
‘Patients simply take an oral dose of naltrexone one hour before they drink alcohol. Naltrexone is approved by the NHS for people who have already stopped drinking to prevent relapse, so it is a safe and evidence-based drug. The key to TSM is timing: by taking naltrexone an hour before drinking, it blunts the pleasurable effects of alcohol and, over time, it effectively “rewires” the brain’s reward system by harnessing a process called “pharmacological extinction”.
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‘Sinclair Method UK’s treatment includes one-to-one guidance with a private GP. Patients are allocated a personal coach for 3-6 months alongside the medication pathway. The treatment may include consultation by phone or video calls, plus a prescription for the relevant tablets. All treatment is private and 100% confidential.
‘Since 2019, Sinclair Method UK has supported more than 5,000 people on their journey to achieve independence from alcohol. Its founders worked closely with Dr. Roy Eskapa, longtime friend and colleague of Dr. David Sinclair, whose pioneering research gave birth to this life-saving treatment. Dr. Eskapa personally trained and advised Sinclair Method UK’s team. These strong links are why it is the only organisation entitled to use The Sinclair Method brand and trademark in the UK. For full details of Sinclair Method UK’s treatments: see: https://www.sinclairmethoduk.com/
