2024 has become the year of alcohol-free Christmas parties: Leading addiction expert hails cultural shift as concerns remain over alcohol harm

• Alcohol-specific deaths have increased by 56.7% since 2006
• Health-conscious younger generations in particular are now rejecting alcohol-based festivities, says Priory addiction specialist
• One in five Christmas parties could be alcohol-free this year, as part of long-term cultural shift

Christmas 2024 could mark the beginning of a significant, long-term cultural shift away from alcohol-based festivities, according to one of the UK’s leading addiction experts. 

Increasing numbers of people are turning away from alcohol, and organisations will need to embrace alcohol-free Christmas parties to support their employees’ health concerns, according to Dr David McLaughlan, a consultant psychiatrist at Priory.

Dr McLaughlan, who supports addiction patients at Priory Hospital Roehampton and is also co-founder of Curb Health, an addictive behaviour change app, believes this year will mark a turning point. 

He said: “2024 is now the first year of widespread alcohol-free Christmas parties. 

“There is a growing trend with more and more people wanting to curb their drinking, particularly Gen Z. As a society, we are becoming much more conscious and mindful of the harmful effects of alcohol to our health.

“Millions of people have embraced campaigns like Dry January and really like the way they feel without alcohol in their system, so we’re starting to see more people look to continue that at other times of year and make an even more meaningful change.” 

Yet Dr McLaughlan warns that despite the positive trend towards mindful drinking, society still faces a growing problem with alcohol-related harms. 

He said: “In recent decades, alcohol has been becoming an increasingly integral part of social events, but it is incredibly harmful. Addiction is insidious, it creeps up on you, and it ruins people’s lives. We see the damage caused by alcohol misuse right across society every day. The alcohol-free Christmas movement is a rejection of these harms. 

“The alcohol-free party is a trend that we hope will continue to grow in coming years, because as a society the damage caused by alcohol consumption is at an all-time high. 

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) reports a rise in alcohol-related conditions. In 2022, there were 151,010 potential working years of life lost in England due to alcohol-related conditions, an increase of 18.2% from 2016. Additionally, alcohol-specific deaths have increased by 56.7% since 2006.

Dr McLaughlan said: “The World Health Organisation classifies alcohol as a class 1 carcinogen, the same category as asbestos and radiation. A recent study in The Lancet medical journal indicates there is no amount of alcohol that is safe for our health. Curbing our drinking is good for us all.”

In response to these harms, more people choosing to reduce their alcohol consumption or abstain altogether. According to Drinkaware in 2023, 15% of adults reported that they do not drink alcohol at all. 2024 data shows that 90% of UK drinkers are now actively trying to moderate their alcohol intake, an increase of 6% since 2018. Almost one-in-three people (31%) are now embracing zero-alcohol or low alcohol drinks, up from one-in-four people (25%) only a year ago, indicating a continuing shift in the UK's drinking habits.  

In response to these harms, more people choosing to reduce their alcohol consumption or abstain altogether. According to Drinkaware, data collected over the past two years showed 15% of adults are not drinking alcohol at all and 90% of UK drinkers are now actively trying to moderate their alcohol intake, an increase of 6% since 2018. 
 
In addition, almost one-in-three people (31%) are now embracing zero-alcohol or low alcohol drinks, up from one-in-four people (25%) only a year ago, indicating a continuing shift in the UK's drinking habits.  

Dr McLaughlan said: “We’re hearing that more than one in five Christmas parties in 2024 will be alcohol-free, with a shift towards inclusivity and unique experiences, with events promoting phrases like ‘no regrets’ and ‘bottomless boozeless bars’.”

“It’s great that so many employers, pubs and restaurants are adapting to cultural shifts and expanding their offerings to cater to those who would rather celebrate with a little less of a hangover. Ultimately, people are realising that if it’s not fun without alcohol, it’s not fun.” 

Priory is the UK’s largest independent provider of mental health, addiction treatment and adult social care services. 

ENDS

Contact: [email protected]

About Priory and MEDIAN Group 

Priory is the UK’s largest independent provider of mental health and adult social care services. Priory treats more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as children’s mental health, across its nationwide network of sites. Priory also supports autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities – helping as many people as possible to live their lives.

Priory is part of the MEDIAN Group, the leading European provider of high-quality mental health and rehabilitation services. The MEDIAN Group comprises: Priory in the UK with 290 facilities and 5,000 beds caring for 28,000 people, MEDIAN in Germany with 120 facilities and 20,000 beds caring for around 250,000 patients, and Hestia in Spain with 15 facilities and 2,100 beds caring for 11,000 people in Spain, with more than 29,000 employees across the group.