

Experts say there are four different types of drinker - which one are you?

The science says it all

Woman drinking white wine on patio
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We all know that alcohol isn't the healthiest thing on the planet, and that irresponsible drinking can lead to all sorts of health issues - from weight gain and addiction to increased cancer risk and long-term liver problems.

But some experts argue that - when consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet - alcoholic drinks such as wine are essentially harmless, and may even have a positive impact on the drinker's wellbeing.

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So, how do you know what's harmful and what's not? Well, according to a recent article in The Conversation written by alcohol experts Emmanuel Kuntsche, the director of the centre for alcohol policy research at La Trobe university, and Sarah Callinan, a research fellow, it all comes down to why you drink.

Kuntshe and Callinan call upon the motivational model of alcohol use, which theorises that we drink because we expect a change in how we feel after the fact. They argue that knowing what motivates people to drink is important when it comes to better understanding their needs when it comes to encouraging them to drink less, or in a less harmful way. With this in mind, they have identified four different types of 'drinkers'. Which type are you? Find out below…

1. The 'social' drinker

Research shows that social motives are the most common reason young people give for drinking alcohol. Social drinking is mainly about increasing the amount of fun you're having with your friends - whether you're hanging out in the pub or going hard at a house party. This fits with the idea that drinking is mainly a social pastime and is associated with moderate alcohol use.

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2. The 'conforming' drinker

People who drink to conform really only reach for the alcohol as a way of 'fitting in' - it is not something they would necessarily do out of choice. This means that they often end up drinking less than their peers, nursing a single pint throughout the evening to keep their hands busy or sipping on a glass of bubbly only because they know a toast is coming up.

3. The 'enhancement' drinker

Drinking for enhancement goes beyond social drinking - these people actively drink in order to feel drunk. Enhancement drinkers are more likely to be extroverted, impulsive, aggressive and have a risk-taking personality. Kuntshe and Callinan note that it is young who are most likely to fall into this category.

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4. The 'coping' drinker

People who use drinking as a coping mechanism are more likely to consume larger amounts and experience more alcohol-related problems than any other type of drinker. These people may use drinking to cope with other problems in their life - particularly those related to anxiety and depression - and are more likely to be female. Those who drink as a means of coping may have turned to alcohol as a last resort because their other problems are not being addressed or dealt with.

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The next time you have a drink, it's worth taking a moment to think about the motives behind that decision. Are you drinking to relax and have a good time? Do you feel as though you have a choice in whether or not you drink? Are you drinking in order to feel differently or banish certain emotions? Remember: those who drink in order to get drunk are more at risk from alcohol-related problems, and if you're trying to 'drink your problems away', they will still be there in the morning.

The authors note that this research is limited to the drinking motives of young people in their teens and early twenties.

If you are worried about your relationship with drinking, speak to your GP or contact Alcoholics Anonymous.

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