‘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

Openhearted . . . In a useful entry in the growing canon of 'quit lit,' Charles Knowles blends science and memoir to persuade readers to cut down on alcohol -- The New York Times
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 -- Dr Andrew Jenkinson. bestselling author of Why We Eat (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 -- William Porter, author of Alcohol Explained
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
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. -- Jackie Malton, author, TV script consultant and former senior police officer
Brilliant. Devastating. Hopeful. Dr. Knowles blends science, story and compassion in a way that will resonate deeply with anyone rethinking their drinking. -- Anna Donaghey, author and host of The Big Drink Rethink podcast
Fancy a drink? Think again! This compelling text by a distinguished surgeon explains why -- Professor Stephen Westaby, bestselling author of Fragile Lives
From Vervet Monkeys to Keith Moon, this is a compact work full of fascinating and sometimes troubling research - it will embolden readers tired of drinking and ready for sobriety -- Robin Ince

Dr Charles Knowles is Professor of Surgery at Queen Mary University of London. He also happens to be a recovering alcoholic. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed scientific papers and contributed as an expert to sober community groups and programmes. Why We Drink Too Much is his first popular book.