Why We Drink Too Much : The Hidden Science of Just One More

Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Publish date: 8 January 2026
Pages: 304
Language: English

Subjects: Health & Fitness, Healthy Living & Personal Hygiene, Self-Help, Substance Abuse & Addictions, Alcohol, Social Science, Disease & Health Issues

'Compelling and fascinating . . . A must-read' - Andrew Jenkinson, Sunday Times bestselling author of Why We Eat Too Much

We drink it, celebrate with it and barely question it - but what is alcohol really doing to us?

Ever wondered why that one glass of wine so easily turns into a bottle? Or why you, a perfectly rational person in all other areas of your life, can't seem to resist 'just one more'? Or why some people aren't interested in alcohol at all?

Charles Knowles is a leading surgeon and clinical research director. He also happens to be a recovering alcoholic. In Why We Drink Too Much, he takes us on a captivating and personal journey into the science of our favourite drug. Forget willpower, advertising and moral weakness - Knowles reveals how the surprising truth about our drinking is rooted in ancient biology and brain chemistry. He unpacks how we learn to drink, the brain's powerful reward system, and the facts about alcohol and health to show what really happens in our brains and bodies when we drink.

Packed with jaw-dropping science, relatable stories and an invaluable blueprint for change, this book is for anyone who has ever woken up with a vague sense of dread and asked, 'Why me?'. It's the conversation about alcohol you've been waiting to have - one that is smart, witty and might just change how you think about drinking forever.

'Illuminating, fascinating and beautifully written. If you've ever had an issue with drink and asked yourself 'why me?' then this book is for you' - Clare Pooley, bestselling author of The Sober Diaries