The findings of the survey by Family Circle magazine and the Portman Group, the representative of the drinks industry, is being presented to public health minister Tessa Jowell at a reception on Wednesday. The poll of 400 women shows that one in 10 are drinking more than 21 units of alcohol a week. Government guidelines say women should drink no more than two to three units a day. A unit is equivalent to a glass of wine. One in five says they are worried about the amount they are drinking and a quarter are concerned about the possible long-term effect on their health.
Most women say they drink because they like the taste of alcohol, but some cite stress as a factor.
Government research shows the number of women who drink heavily is increasing. But women under 35 are more likely to drink to excess. A third say they drink to make them more sociable and many have no problem going to the pub alone. Single women and those without children are the heaviest drinkers. Sir Cliff Richard Wine was the top choice of most women and their ideal drinking partners were Sir Cliff Richard, George Clooney and Sean Connery.