Nearly three in ten young adults in the UK now abstain from alcohol, according to recent data, signalling a significant cultural shift among the nation's youth. A Drinkaware survey from 2021 found that 28% of young adults do not drink, compared to just 15% of older adults. This trend towards sobriety comes despite a World Health Organization study showing Britain has the highest rate of child alcohol consumption globally, with over half of children in England, Scotland and Wales having drunk alcohol by age 13.
Preston, a 23-year-old from Llanidloes in mid-Wales, used to binge drink occasionally at university but now enjoys a healthier relationship with alcohol. He drinks about three times a week, always in the pub, and credits his small town's multi-generational community for his changed habits. 'The pub is often a social hub,' he says, adding that he now focuses on fun conversations rather than drinking to excess.
Donnelly, a university student, describes herself as 'sober-curious' and has cut back on drinking. She says she has stopped drinking with the intention of getting drunk and now enjoys casual drinks without going overboard. 'It took me a couple of years to get to this point,' she explains, noting that she initially felt pressure to drink heavily to make the most of her university experience. Now, she says, she has 'much more enjoyable times' without crippling hangovers and anxiety.
Davies, who has been sober since November 2022, previously drank several nights a week and felt her party-heavy lifestyle was unsustainable. She now makes TikTok videos about sobriety, sharing alcohol-free pub trips and alternative social activities. 'I try to share positives of sobriety, that it doesn't mean you are boring,' she says. Her account started as a form of accountability but has become a platform to inspire others.
