According to a survey, there are many Britons, who consume more alcohol than it was assumed because half of them are secret binge drinkers.  Furthermore, it revealed that around eight in 10 people exceed the daily limit of safe drinking and half of them are binge-drinkers.

According to researchers at University College London, there had been under-reporting of alcohol consumers in existing survey, which says 12.3 units a week is consumed across the UK.  Whereas, the new study says 20.5 units a week are consumed by people over 16 years of age.

The study concluded that as many as 75% men exceed the daily limit of three to four units of alcohol.  Also, 80% women exceed the daily limit of two to three units of alcohol.  The figures were reported 56% and 54% for men and women respectively by the Health Survey for England 2008. The figures are much lower than figures revealed by the new study.

Women from south of England, who are high on incomes are found to be binge drinkers for reasons that are not understood, revealed the study.  Sir Richard Thompson, president of the Royal College of Physicians, which represents hospital doctors, said the study "contradicts the claims of the alcohol industry that only a small minority drink too much, and is yet more evidence of the need for strong government action, including a minimum unit price for alcohol".