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Alcohol Harms 1 in 4 Relationships

Updated Aug 05, 2010 | by John Lee | 1 Comments
Alcohol Damages 26% of UK Relationships
© Steve Wampler
The drinking habits of one partner has caused relationship problems for 26% of Britons.

Research from the UK public alcohol charity, Drinkaware, reveals just how much alcohol can harm our love lives – which is pertinent food for thought as Valentines Day fast approaches.

According to Drinkaware:

  • 26% of couples report arguing over one partner’s drinking
  • 14% of those polled admit that they worry about how alcohol affects the quality of their relationship
  • 11% admit to feeling embarrassed after a partner got overly drunk

Jonathon Chick, a consultant psychiatrist with Drinkaware, commented on the findings, saying, "While many couples enjoy a drink together, for some alcohol can spoil the evening. You don't have to be an alcoholic for alcohol to damage your love life…Alcohol can make us impulsive or uninhibited and this can unintentionally hurt our relationships. People who get drunk may behave inappropriately, say something upsetting that they don't really mean, or become argumentative.”

Drinkaware’s CEO Chris Sorek urges couples to use this Valentines Day to assess the role alcohol may play in relationship discord, saying, “It’s important to asses whether drinking is worth the alcohol-related arguments. Relationships are an important aspect of anyone’s life, why ruin it with alcohol?"

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