Prevalence and patterns of risky and dependent drinking in Great Britain, 2020–2025

Abstract

Abstract Background Increases in alcohol-specific mortality in Great Britain since 2020 underscore the public health importance of reducing population-level alcohol consumption. This study examines the prevalence, population burden, and sociodemographic and geographic patterning of risky and dependent drinking in Great Britain since the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We analysed nationally representative data from the Alcohol Toolkit Study collected monthly in Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland) between October 2020 and October 2025 ( n = 135,295 adults ≥ 18y). Alcohol consumption was measured using the AUDIT-C, with risky drinking defined as scores ≥ 5 and possible dependent drinking as ≥ 11. Results In 2024/25, 31.8% [95%CI = 31.5–32.1%] reported risky drinking and 1.49% [1.42–1.57%] reported possible dependent drinking, corresponding to approximately 16.2 million and 814,000 adults, respectively. Risky drinkers were slightly younger than the adult population overall (mean 46.0 vs. 48.6y) and more often men (61.9% vs. 48.5%). Possible dependent drinkers were disproportionately male (77.2%), older (mean 49.1y), and from less advantaged occupational social grades (26.7% vs. 23.3% of all adults), and fewer lived with children (20.7% vs. 28.3%). Risky drinking was modestly more prevalent in northern England, while possible dependent drinking was markedly higher in some northern regions (e.g., Yorkshire & Humber 2.35%) compared with London (0.91%). Conclusions In Great Britain, approximately one in three adults drink at risky levels, and around one in 65 drink at levels indicative of possible dependence. This, alongside pronounced sociodemographic and geographic inequalities, highlights the urgent need for effective population-level interventions to address high levels of alcohol use.