Scots author tells Davina McCall 'number one reason why people will never give up alcohol'
Alcohol is a huge topic of discussion in Scotland. While challenges like Dry January and Sober October present an opportunity for Scots to go teetotal for a while, the effects of hitting the booze are never too away.
In 2023, 1,277 people died from alcohol-specific causes in Scotland, which is the highest number since 2008. This is equivalent to about one death every day, according to Alcohol Focus Scotland.
Wellbeing experts are always offering their perspective on alcohol - how drinking in moderation, if not complete sobriety, should be encouraged to avoid health complications like liver and heart disease, brain damage, and cancer.
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Ruari Fairbairns is the Scottish CEO and Founder of OYNB - One Year No Beer - which aims to help change the UK's relationship with alcohol.
Sitting down with TV presenter Davina McCall for her 'Begin Again' podcast, Ruari discussed his sobriety journey and the root causes of addiction - as well as the "number one reason why people will never give up alcohol".
"The fear of, 'who am I if I choose to change my relationship with alcohol? How do I deal with peer pressure? How am I going to sleep? What am I going to do with my time?" Ruari explained.
"That fear is what keeps the vast majority of people stuck.
"And what everyone is saying on the other side is, 'I had no idea the impact alcohol was having on me and I wish I'd done it sooner'".
The former London oil broker believes "we live in a world where you can be precluded if you don't drink alcohol" and dubbed alcohol "the world's most harmful drug".
He went on to reveal to Davina, who has been sober for 30 years, "Our research published with Stirling University surveyed peer pressure around the UK - how much peer pressure do you get, what kind of peer pressure is it...
"The highest peer pressure in the entire country from any particular demographic is middle-aged professional females in London - by their bosses. Around 60 per cent of women felt they were pressured to drink alcohol."
In Scotland, men are more likely to drink alcohol at hazardous or harmful levels than women, but the gap is decreasing, according to the Scottish Government.
If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm). Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group.
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