The team behind www.MoneySavingHeroes.co.uk conducted the research as part of an ongoing study into the spending habits of British people when they are socialising.
Photo: PA
Initially, all respondents were asked “How often do you go on nights out?” 52% said once roughly once a month.
Participants were next asked if they ever avoid alcohol when they go out, with just under half of respondents admitting to doing so. When able to provide all answers that applied, the main reasons for not drinking alcohol on nights out were found to be:
- Drinks in clubs are too expensive – 67%
- I don’t like being drunk – 55%
- Receiving peer pressure from others – 37%
- Alcohol makes me feel anxious – 24%
- Too drunk already – 21%
Over a third of Britons reach for water when they are on a night out with friends but a quarter of these revealed they hide this from those they are with and pretend they are still buying alcoholic drinks.
Respondents were next questioned as to whether they had criticised a friend for not drinking, with 39% admitting to putting pressure on a friend to drink.
When those who do drink on nights out were asked to guess how much they spend on just alcohol on a night out, the average answer was found to be £60 for male respondents and £35 for female respondents.
George Charles, a spokesperson for www.MoneySavingHeroes.co.uk, commented:
“People shouldn’t feel forced to drink, everyone knows their limits and going past these can be dangerous. Pre-drinking culture has become incredibly popular in the younger generations because of the price of alcohol which does mean they end up drinking excessive amounts before even leaving the house which can incredibly harmful. It is also worrying that so many are hiding the fact that they don’t drink from their friends or are avoiding alcohol altogether on nights to take a stance against peer pressure. True friends should not care if you drink or not; if yours are giving you any grief for decisions such as these, maybe it’s time to get new friends.”
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