Millions worried about rising harm as 1 in 5 adults order rapid alcohol deliveries weekly

The research by Alcohol Change UK suggests that rapid delivery of alcohol at the tap of a button is making it easier to drink more than we intend to and harder to cut back, while driving concerns among loved ones.

Worryingly, use - and harm - is concentrated among those already at risk of experiencing serious alcohol harm, with more than four in 10 (43%) individuals already exceeding recommended guidelines of 14 units per week using rapid delivery weekly, compared to fewer than two in 10 lower-risk drinkers.

Key findings

Dr Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK, said: “Rapid alcohol deliveries are causing harm across our society, with around 12 million people now ordering alcohol via these services weekly. Among them are many already drinking in ways that will be impacting their health and wellbeing.

“This is not a niche problem. Rapid delivery has quickly become a part of daily life in the UK and a significant driver of dangerous alcohol consumption. Too many are falling prey to round-the-clock access through these services. Convenience has a cost – rising harm to the nation’s health and wellbeing, hampering efforts to drink less or stop drinking alcohol, and destroying the peace of mind of loved ones.

“We are not for a ban of rapid alcohol deliveries, but as these figures suggest the Government must now look at introducing sensible measures that prevent harm and protect all of us from falling into a harmful pattern with deliveries that's hard to break free from. It is essential to ensure age and intoxication checks happen 100% of the time, that we limit the sale of alcohol at certain times and allow people to block themselves from ordering alcohol via delivery services.”

Alcohol Change UK’s ‘End the delivery trap’ campaign is backed by Alex Hughes, who lost her sister Zoe to a battle with alcohol dependence, before later uncovering that Zoe was spending £1,500 per month on alcohol via delivery apps leading up to her death. Alex is now campaigning for change, calling for urgent safeguards on alcohol deliveries.

Alex said: “It's worrying to see that so many people who may already be experiencing harm due to their relationship with alcohol are regularly using rapid delivery services. Having alcohol available 24/7 at the tap of a button played a huge role in my sister Zoe’s fast decline before we lost her, despite her attempts and our efforts to get her the support she needed.

“Zoe didn’t have to leave the house, get ready for the day or see and interact with anyone, and became more and more isolated as time went on. We were devasted to discover how much alcohol she was getting delivered in the months leading up to her death, and there were occasions when she was clearly already intoxicated and unwell, but alcohol was just left at her door.

"Compared to shops or pubs, the safeguards and measures in place with deliveries are much weaker and that’s why I’m campaigning for change and supporting the work of Alcohol Change UK. We share the same goal to ensure better protections are in place to make these services safer, prevent further harm and any other individuals and families from going through what we’re going through.”

Alcohol Change UK is highlighting several policy measures to the Government to solve the rapid delivery crisis and prevent further avoidable alcohol harm

If you are concerned about the impact of rapid alcohol deliveries, you can play your part in changing the system. Email your MP via the Alcohol Change UK website.

Alcohol Change UK is keen to hear from those with experience of rapid alcohol deliveries. Submit your story here.

Hattie, aged 35 and based in Clapham, spent more than 15 years battling with alcohol, which continued to escalate following the birth of her first child. She experienced numerous mental and physical consequences during this time but finally sought the help she needed to get sober. She’s been alcohol-free since 2021 and hits her five-year milestone this month (April 2026).

Hattie first used delivery services after running out of alcohol at a party, but it was a catalyst moment for her as she thought ‘Oh, I don’t have to visit different off licences or shops anymore, I can just do this!’

She said: “Delivery services to my door were a key contributor to the impact and decline of my drinking. The availability and ease they provided, negating the need to leave the house or endure a ‘face to face’ interaction in a shop, not only increased the volume, but also the frequency, of my alcohol intake. It was a real slippery slope. It makes it so easy for drinking issues to go underground, unnoticed and worsen.”

Now a regular attendee of recovery support groups and online sober communities, Hattie is passionate about sharing her story honestly and authentically to inspire others facing similar challenges. She runs Sober Happy Free, an online sobriety platform and trusted space for people at all stages of their sobriety journey.

For interviews, case studies and to find out more about the 'End the delivery trap' campaign, please contact the press team at Alcohol Change UK at [email protected] / 07432 460 201.