According to the findings of a recent survey, conducted for the Department of Health’s Alcohol Effects campaign, the excessive drinking habits of youngsters do ‘not’ necessarily result from ‘peer pressure’ or influence of friends.

Noting that peer pressure is often cited by heavy drinkers as an excuse for their excessive drinking behavior, the survey clearly rebuffs the long-held perception that peer pressure is the key reason behind binge drinking.

As per the response of the over 2,000 English adults surveyed, despite the fact that they more often than not put down their excessive drinking to peer pressure, they hardly ever actually expect their friends to force them to drink when they do not want to.

Going by the survey statistics, while over 22 percent people who, at some time or the other, ended up drinking more than they planned had blamed their excessive drinking on peer pressure; 39 percent admitted that they often make up an excuse to justify their drinking behavior.

Meanwhile, only 2 percent respondents said that they were pressurized by their friends to drink more even though did not want to; and merely 4 percent people said that they expected their friends to keep up with them when drinking.

Commenting on the findings, Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said: “This survey should encourage us all that it is ok to be honest with our friends about when we've had enough.”