Why We Drink Too Much

‘Compelling and fascinating . . . A must-read’ – Andrew Jenkinson, Sunday Times bestselling author of Why We Eat (Too Much)

The revolutionary book that will change how you think about drinking forever – whether you're tackling Dry January, looking for a permanent shift or simply curious.

We drink to celebrate, to de-stress and to fit in. We barely question it – until we wake up with that vague sense of dread and ask, 'Why me?' If you are a perfectly rational person in all other areas of your life, but too often find that one glass of wine turns into a bottle, it isn't a moral failing or a lack of character. It's biology.

In Why We Drink Too Much, leading surgeon and clinical researcher Dr Charles Knowles combines jaw-dropping science with his own harrowing journey as a recovering alcoholic to reveal what is really happening in our brains. With sharp wit and professional rigour, he unpacks:

• The Reward System: Why alcohol hijacks our survival instincts and overrides our ability to choose.
• The ‘Drinking Champion’ Phenotype: Why some of us are genetically primed to feel more reward from every sip.
• A 12-Principle Blueprint: A science-backed guide to reclaiming your choice and moving toward long-term neutrality or sobriety.

Whether you are ‘sober curious,’ a ‘grey area’ drinker, or someone who has visited the edge and didn’t like the view, Dr Knowles offers a smart, accessible guide to reclaiming your choice.

'Fascinating' – Robin Ince
'Illuminating and beautifully written.' – Clare Pooley, bestselling author of The Sober Diaries
'Openhearted [and] useful. Knowles blends science and memoir to persuade readers to cut down on alcohol' – The New York Times