Synopsis
‘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 or looking for a permanent shift.
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 find that one glass of wine consistently turns into two bottles, 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.
'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
Details
08 January 2026
9781035062096Reviews
Why We Drink Too Much is a compelling and fascinating exploration of why we drink – and why some of us can’t stop. The author lays bare his soul in a raw, honest account of his struggles with alcohol, interwoven with world-class scientific insight into the brain, genetics, and the powerful pull of this drug. A must-read for anyone, especially those seeking to understand the hidden forces that drive us to drink too much
A fantastic book. Dr Knowles presents the reader with his wealth of knowledge and experience in an accessible and engaging way, stripping away the confusion on this difficult topic
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
Compelling and compassionate. Written by a surgeon and academic, Why We Drink Too Much fuses clinical insight with human vulnerability. The true gift, however, lies in the author’s candid sharing of his own drinking story – an experience that was not only addictive but ultimately became deeply problematic. Knowles describes his own journey of recovery with honesty, humility and hard-won insight.
