A new report has claimed excessive weekly drinking in Northern Ireland could be down to the peace process.
The rapid growth in pubs and clubs, as well as changes in the licensing laws, has led to higher levels of drinking compared to the rest of the UK where there has been a slight overall decline, according to research.
The number of people consuming alcohol in Northern Ireland is also rising, especially among those in the 16-24 age group.
A report for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said one possible explanation for the increased drinking since 1986 was the introduction of new laws 13 years ago and the development of the leisure industry since the start of the peace process.
It claimed: 'The peace process has led to increased investment, employment, urbanisation, improved financial status and independence amongst the population and among young people generally.
'The social and economic emancipation, when set against a historic low baseline of alcohol use because of religious and cultural norms, may have led to increases in alcohol drinking over recent years towards the levels in the rest of the UK.'
Read the report in full
The report claimed that across the UK almost one woman in six now drinks more than double the recommended daily amount of three units.
Men still binge drink more, with nearly one in four (23%) consuming twice as much as they should, but the gender gap is closing.
Between 1998 and 2006 the number of women drinking binge amounts almost doubled to 15%.
But the number of young men aged 16-24 binge drinking has fallen by 9% since 2000.
The research also revealed steady increases in alcohol consumption among middle-aged and older people.
