Rapid alcohol delivery services have been criticized for their role in making it easier for individuals to access alcohol, contributing to addiction and overconsumption. Hattie Underwood, now an advocate for Alcohol Change UK, shared her experience of relying on apps like Deliveroo to obtain alcohol during her struggle with severe alcoholism.
Underwood recounted how the convenience and anonymity of these delivery services enabled her to drink excessively, often ordering multiple bottles of wine or spirits at a time. "Within minutes, I could have alcohol at my door without leaving the house or speaking to anyone," she stated. This ease of access, she explained, made it terrifyingly simple to continue her drinking habits, especially when she was already under the influence.
A recent survey cited in the notes indicated that over 12 million UK adults use fast delivery services for alcohol at least weekly. Of those, more than 40% reportedly drink over recommended guidelines, and approximately 7 million admit to ordering alcohol while already drunk. Underwood's experience aligns with these statistics, as she spent hundreds of pounds weekly on such services at the peak of her addiction.
Her personal journey with alcohol began at age 13 with alcopops and progressed through university and early career stages in London. The introduction of delivery apps in her mid-twenties significantly worsened her problem, as she found the shame associated with purchasing alcohol in person was removed, replaced by a convenient and anonymous transaction.
Underwood detailed how the apps facilitated her drinking even after becoming pregnant, where she feared harming her baby. She managed to abstain during pregnancy but resumed drinking after giving birth, becoming increasingly reliant on delivery services to manage her addiction while caring for her infant son. A New Year's Eve incident in 2020, where she was visibly drunk while playing a game with her sister, served as a turning point, leading her to seek professional help.
After entering a sobriety program and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Underwood has been sober for five years. She now advocates for stricter regulations on alcohol delivery services. Her suggestions include mandatory training for delivery drivers to refuse sales to potentially intoxicated individuals, implementing time or spending caps on alcohol orders, and ending promotional discounts.
"I realise it would be hard for drivers to make a call on whether someone is an alcoholic, but they should be given the training and confidence to say no to certain deliveries without fear of being reprimanded," Underwood commented. She believes that company-wide policies could help curb excessive purchasing. Underwood emphasized that there is hope for recovery and encouraged others struggling with alcohol addiction to seek help.