My sister was spending £1,000 a month on drink from delivery apps
My Sister Was Spending £1,000 a Month on Drink from Delivery Apps
My sister was spending 1 000 – Following the tragic loss of her sister Zoe, Alex Hughes, a 31-year-old advocate, launched a petition urging stricter controls on alcohol sales via food delivery platforms. Zoe, 35, died in 2023 after sustaining fatal injuries from a stair-related fall in her Lincoln home. The incident, which shocked her family, is believed to have occurred while she was under the influence of alcohol. According to Alex, Zoe’s addiction to alcohol was exacerbated by the convenience of delivery apps, which allowed her to order beverages with minimal effort.
The Rise of Alcohol Delivery Convenience
Zoe’s habit of purchasing alcohol through services like Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats became a central part of the campaign’s narrative. Her monthly spending on these platforms, estimated to range from £1,000 to £1,500, highlights how easy access to alcohol can fuel dependency. Before her death, Zoe was reportedly consuming five to seven bottles of wine, gin, or vodka daily. This pattern of consumption, Alex argues, was made significantly more accessible by the digital delivery systems that now dominate modern shopping.
Regulatory Gaps and Industry Responses
Despite the convenience these apps provide, the companies insist they operate within legal frameworks. They claim to have implemented measures such as age verification, responsible delivery practices, and the ability to suspend or block customer accounts upon request. However, critics like Alex contend that these measures are insufficient to prevent overconsumption, particularly among vulnerable individuals. The coroner’s ruling in Zoe’s case noted that her death was accidental, with the fall attributed to her impaired state. Yet, the family believes the ease of alcohol access played a critical role in the tragedy.
Calling for Safer Policies
Supporters of the petition, including Alcohol Change UK, the organization behind the annual Dry January campaign, are pushing for regulatory changes. The charity is advocating for a system similar to the gambling sector’s self-exclusion register, where individuals can opt out of alcohol delivery services. Additionally, they propose capping the quantity of alcohol that can be ordered in a single 24-hour period and introducing time restrictions to limit purchases during late-night hours. “Zoe could order alcohol as early as six in the morning,” Alex explains, emphasizing how the immediacy of delivery apps contributed to her spiraling consumption.
Personal Accounts of Addiction
Hattie Underwood, a 35-year-old London-based recovering alcoholic, shares her own experience with the impact of delivery apps. “Psychologically, these services removed all barriers to drinking,” she says. “I once had a severe stomach ulcer from excessive alcohol use, which kept me out of work for weeks. I would set a 10am time limit before drinking, but I’d never wait that long.” Her story aligns with that of Daniel Dobbs, a 39-year-old recovering alcoholic and coach at the Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership. “Alcohol can devastate lives,” Dobbs adds. “As long as safeguards don’t strip people of their choices, they’re necessary to protect those struggling with addiction.”
The Role of Licensing Laws
The Licensing Act 2003 currently governs the sale of alcohol, making it illegal to sell to someone already drunk. However, the government is now examining whether these rules apply effectively to rapid alcohol delivery services. Joe Marley, director of Alcohol Change UK, argues that the existing framework has not adapted to the digital age. “The licensing act was designed decades ago and hasn’t kept pace with modern delivery practices,” he says. “It’s time for regulations to evolve and reflect the realities of today’s consumer behavior.”
Delivery App Defenses
Representatives from Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats have defended their operations, asserting they enforce strict guidelines to ensure responsible alcohol sales. A Deliveroo spokesperson stated that retailers on the platform “must adhere to the same licensing, marketing, and regulatory restrictions as in-store” and that riders are trained to refuse deliveries to intoxicated customers. Just Eat similarly claims to have “robust processes and policies” to guarantee alcohol is delivered “legally and responsibly,” including the option to block accounts or addresses. Uber Eats highlighted its requirement for age and sobriety checks, allowing customers to opt out of alcohol deliveries altogether.
Impact on Families and Communities
For Alex Hughes, Zoe’s death was a turning point. She describes her sister as “full of life” and “lived and breathed for her children.” The family was initially taken aback upon learning of Zoe’s drinking problem, as she had previously relied on walking to local shops to buy alcohol. This changed when Zoe moved to a more urban setting, where the availability of delivery services made it easier to maintain her addiction. “It was like a domino effect,” Alex says. “The more convenient it became, the more she consumed.”
A Call for Broader Change
The petition’s proposals aim to address the root causes of alcohol overuse in the digital era. A key demand is the introduction of a delivery time limit, preventing orders during hours when individuals are most likely to be vulnerable. Alex also emphasizes the need for a cap on daily alcohol purchases, arguing that this could reduce the risk of impulsive buying. “These measures wouldn’t eliminate the problem,” she acknowledges, “but they could create a safety net for people who need it most.”
Industry and Advocacy in Dialogue
While the petition has gained traction, the delivery app companies remain confident in their current systems. Deliveroo, for instance, points to its “specialist policy” for suspending accounts when welfare concerns arise. Just Eat and Uber Eats have similarly outlined their commitment to responsible delivery. Yet, the campaign argues that these policies are reactive rather than proactive. “We need more than just checks,” Marley states. “We need to rethink how alcohol is made available to people in crisis.”
Finding Balance in Regulation
Supporters of the petition stress that the goal is not to ban alcohol entirely but to implement safeguards that protect those at risk. “The key is to preserve choice while reducing harm,” Dobbs says. “People shouldn’t be forced into overconsumption, but they should have the freedom to drink responsibly.” This balance is central to the debate, as the government weighs the need for stricter rules against the benefits of convenience. With more cases like Zoe’s emerging, the call for action grows louder, highlighting the growing concern over the role of technology in addiction.