Millions of Brits admit to drinking before big events – like funerals or job interviews

One in six Brits claim they feel like the best version of themselves when drinking alcohol, a study has revealed.

A poll of 2,000 adults who drink found the top occasions when people will enjoy an alcoholic beverage include on a night out (55%), on holiday (48%), and on someone else’s wedding day (43%).

And half of those polled (49%) feel like they need an alcoholic drink before a social event, in order to boost their confidence.

This includes before a family gathering (43%), the first social outing with new colleagues (25%), and catching a flight (23%).

Nearly one in ten (7%) have even knocked back a tipple for courage before a job interview, and 10% have done so prior to a video call.

But more than a third (36%) wish they could feel like their best selves without having to rely on a drink – and 46% struggle with confidence in social situations if they’re not drinking.

The research was commissioned by alcohol-free spirit, SENTIA, co-founded by neuroscientist Professor David Nutt – who has created an alcohol-free beverage that literally “takes the edge off”.

SENTIA co-founder and neuropsychopharmacologist, Professor David Nutt, said: “It’s really interesting to see that more than half of those polled (53%) would choose a drink that gives them all the benefits of alcohol without the negatives, if they could.

“The exciting thing is, with the scientific advances in food technology in recent decades, this drink exists.

“We have discovered a specific blend of botanical ingredients that interact to target GABA activity – that’s the neurotransmitter responsible for sensations of sociability – in the brain.

“This triggers the same response we experience when we have roughly two alcoholic drinks – the volume the majority of those polled said they needed to feel their best self.

“Enhanced GABA activity has been scientifically found to increase sociability and conviviality, whilst reducing anxiety.”

The research also found adults would struggle to dance in public (33%), give a speech (26%), or go on a date (18%) without alcohol in their system.

A further 47% would feel nervous on a first date sober, and 18% would be anxious on their own wedding day.

A night out without drinking would leave people feeling quiet (17%) and uncomfortable (17%).

As well as a boost in confidence, people are more sociable (39%), happy (34%), and talkative (33%) once they’ve got a drink in them.

More than a third feel they “need” a drink in some social situations (37%) – but 18% would find drinking non-alcoholic beverages easier if they knew someone else who was doing the same.

A further four in ten polled, via OnePoll, have tried to give up or cut out alcohol – including two-thirds (63%) of 18-24 year olds, compared to just a third (33%) of over-65’s.

Reasons for trying to cut back included to improve health (59%), save money (50%), and avoid hangovers (38%).

SENTIA spokesman, Brendan Williams, added: “Connection is at the heart of what it means to be human, and drinking is often at the heart of our social occasions.

“We hope to help produce those feelings of sociability in the brain, helping conscious drinkers and healthy hedonists come together and feel great in these moments.”

TOP 25 SITUATIONS BRITS HAVE HAD AN ALCOHOLIC DRINK:

1. A night out
2. A holiday
3. A family gathering
4. Someone else’s wedding day
5. A first date
6. My wedding day
7. A concert
8. First Christmas party with a new job
9. A funeral
10. A date (not the first date)
11. When meeting new friends
12. Watching a sports game
13. First social occasion with new colleagues
14. A hen do
15. When meeting my partner’s friends
16. Before catching a flight
17. A stag do
18. When a “fresher” at university
19. Doing karaoke
20. Meeting my partner’s family for the first time
21. Making an announcement e.g. I’m engaged
22. Getting results/news e.g. exam results
23. On a video call
24. Sharing something on social media
25. Playing a sports game e.g. playing football