Drinking like a Soldier. Understanding Alcohol Use in the UK Military, Insights from Recent Research
- Alastair Hunt
- 18 hours ago
- 6 min read
Alcohol use has long been entwined with military life. From mess hall socials to winding down after deployment, it's often been a central feature of bonding and camaraderie. But the tide is shifting, as a growing body of research reveals how alcohol misuse can take root, persist and impact health and wellbeing - often unnoticed. Four major studies have recently provided in-depth insights into drinking behaviours, recognition, motivations and long-term patterns among UK Armed Forces personnel.
As ever, please talk to your doctor or medical practitioner most familiar with your medical history before implementing any changes in diet, exercise or lifestyle, especially if you are under treatment. Links to all studies at bottom of page.
Problem Recognition: A Silent Struggle
One of the most striking findings came from a large cohort study involving over 6,000 serving and ex-serving personnel. Among those who met clinical criteria for problem drinking, just 49% recognised they had a problem. Recognition was more likely in those experiencing poor mental health - particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - as well as those with social impairments, adverse life events, or legal troubles.
Severity of drinking played a role: the more symptoms of alcohol dependence someone reported, the more likely they were to acknowledge a problem. But for many, especially those not yet experiencing direct health or social consequences, their alcohol use remained "invisible" - a troubling sign of how normalised heavy drinking still is in the military.
Long-Term Patterns: Drinking That Doesn’t Disappear
While alcohol misuse might be expected to fade with age, rank, or experience, the longitudinal evidence paints a different picture. A 12-year study following over 7,000 military personnel revealed that 68% of participants consistently drank at hazardous or harmful levels over time. While over half of those drinking at the most severe levels reduced their intake, most still drank above low-risk thresholds. Five distinct drinking "trajectories" emerged:
No misuse (31.6%)
Hazardous (47.8%)
Harmful (11.7%)
Severe-to-hazardous (5.3%)
Severe (3.6%)
Those with persistent severe misuse were often younger, male, single, lower in rank and more likely to have experienced childhood adversity or PTSD. Interestingly, those serving in the Royal Air Force or no longer in service were less likely to fall into these higher-risk groups, suggesting that branch and post-service transitions may influence drinking behaviours.
Why Do They Drink? The Emotional and Social Triggers
Understanding the "why" behind alcohol use is just as important as the "how much". In a study of personnel with recent emotional or mental health concerns, two key motivations were identified: "drinking to cope" and "drinking due to social pressure".
Drinking to cope - whether with trauma, anxiety, or low mood - was strongly linked with alcohol misuse and frequent binge drinking. Those with PTSD, depression or anxiety were significantly more likely to drink for this reason. Social pressure was also a factor, though more closely associated with younger age, still being in service and binge drinking.
Context mattered too. Personnel who drank at home or alone were significantly more likely to misuse alcohol. Drinking with a partner also correlated with binge drinking, possibly reflecting shared behaviours or mutual coping strategies.
Cultural Context and Environmental Influences
A systematic review highlighted how military culture itself shapes drinking patterns. Alcohol is not only socially acceptable but often encouraged in some settings - through peer pressure, group rituals or celebrations. Local businesses near bases may even capitalise on this, tailoring promotions to military personnel.
Across multiple studies, younger individuals, those in the Army or combat roles and those with certain stress exposures - like poor leadership during deployment - were more prone to misuse. However, deployment alone wasn’t a consistent predictor, suggesting that individual experiences and perceptions, rather than operational status, drive much of the risk.
Moreover, there remains a persistent stigma around help-seeking for alcohol problems, particularly when not accompanied by mental health concerns. This reluctance compounds the problem, allowing harmful patterns to go unchallenged.
Taking Action: Tips and Support for Healthier Habits
If you're currently serving or have served in the Armed Forces and are questioning your relationship with alcohol, you're not alone - and it's never too late to make a change. Here are a few research-informed tips to consider:
Check your motivations: Are you drinking to wind down, fit in, or cope with difficult emotions? Being honest about your reasons can help you recognise patterns.
Be aware of context: Drinking alone or mainly at home is strongly linked to misuse. Try to stay mindful of how and where you drink.
Start small: Reducing intake - even without stopping entirely - can have real benefits. In the 12-year study, many severe drinkers moved into lower-risk categories with time and effort.
Seek support early: The earlier alcohol issues are recognised, the easier they are to address. If you're also dealing with mental health challenges, integrated treatment can be especially helpful.
Use tools and trackers: Apps that help you log your drinking can offer valuable insight and control. They're particularly useful if you’re trying to cut down at home.
Talk to someone: Whether it’s a mate, a partner, a GP or a support line - talking is a powerful first step toward change.
Final Thoughts
These studies provide a clear, evidence-based picture of alcohol use in the UK Armed Forces- its persistence, its psychological underpinnings, and the social forces that maintain it. Recognition of problem drinking has improved, but the cultural normalisation of heavy alcohol use still acts as a barrier to change.
Understanding why personnel drink is key to shifting behaviours. Drinking to cope with trauma or emotional pain is a strong predictor of misuse, particularly among those least likely to seek help. But the fact that many severe drinkers improved over time shows that change is possible - and support is available.
By combining cultural change within the Forces with targeted support for individuals, we can start to address the root causes of alcohol misuse. Whether you're still serving, a veteran, or supporting someone who is, the path to healthier habits is clearer than ever - and it starts with a conversation.
Changing health for the better it about progress, not perfection, and even small changes can make a meaningful difference over time. For most people, improving health is about finding motivation and prioritising self-care - with an ultimate goal of taking action. If you want to take effective and targeted steps that fit into your unique lifestyle and circumstances, The Whole Health Practice is here to help.
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Stay Healthy,
Alastair
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Related Studies
Spanakis P, Gribble R, Stevelink SAM, Rona RJ, Fear NT, Goodwin L. Problem drinking recognition among UK military personnel: prevalence and associations. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2023 Feb;58(2):193-203. doi: 10.1007/s00127-022-02306-x. Epub 2022 Jun 4. PMID: 35661230; PMCID: PMC9922231.
Osborne AK, Wilson-Menzfeld G, McGill G, Kiernan MD. Military service and alcohol use: a systematic narrative review. Occup Med (Lond). 2022 Jul 11;72(5):313-323. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqac045. Erratum in: Occup Med (Lond). 2022 Oct 18;72(7):499. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqac069. PMID: 35674143; PMCID: PMC9272263.
Palmer L, Norton S, Jones M, Rona RJ, Goodwin L, Fear NT. Trajectories of alcohol misuse among the UK Armed Forces over a 12-year period. Addiction. 2022 Jan;117(1):57-67. doi: 10.1111/add.15592. Epub 2021 Jul 20. PMID: 34288194; PMCID: PMC9292297.
Irizar P, Leightley D, Stevelink S, Rona R, Jones N, Gouni K, Puddephatt JA, Fear N, Wessely S, Goodwin L. Drinking motivations in UK serving and ex-serving military personnel. Occup Med (Lond). 2020 Jun 20;70(4):259-267. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqaa003. PMID: 31961932; PMCID: PMC7305700.
Goodwin L, Norton S, Fear NT, Jones M, Hull L, Wessely S, Rona RJ. Trajectories of alcohol use in the UK military and associations with mental health. Addict Behav. 2017 Dec;75:130-137. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.07.010. Epub 2017 Jul 12. PMID: 28734152.
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