How much do you think you spend on alcohol in a lifetime?

Any idea how much drinking alcohol costs you?

It’s a big wedge of cash, nearly £63,000 over your lifetime.

If you are not aware, evidence shows that alcohol is not only bad for your health but also bad for your wallet.

It causes heart disease, liver disease, stroke, increased blood pressure, and SEVEN types of cancer. But figures show that the average UK drinker is spending an estimated £62,899 on alcohol over their lifetime.

In the North East, the amount is likely to be even higher, with an estimated 47% of adults drinking above recommended low risk guidelines of no more than 14 units a week (Balance Perfect Storm survey and report, 2021).

Susan Taylor, is our Head of Alcohol Policy for Balance, she says: “We already know alcohol is a drug, where the damage to the body and brain can mount up with every drinking session over the years. These figures show how the financial costs also add up and harm our wallets.

“Almost £63,000 is a huge amount of money and at a time when we’re all feeling the pinch, it makes you wonder what else you could spend that on. In addition, there is a personal toll from alcohol. Even just a couple of glasses can leave us with low energy, poor sleep and low mood. By reducing our drinking, we can take back control & reduce our health risks and expenditure in the short and longer term.”

Do you realise what drinking is costing you?

• Got the lasses coming around? Sharing a couple of bottles of Prosecco at around £10 a bottle will end up costing you £1,040 a year
• Do you currently take the edge off with a bottle of wine at around £7.00 a bottle. Drink 2 bottles a week? That’s £7,280 over a decade
• Fancy a few largers on a night after work? 12 bottles of larger will set you back £18.Buying a pack a month from the supermarket will set you back £2,160 over the next 10 years.