Research for Alcohol Change UK has found that during the coronavirus lockdown 18% of British drinkers have increased the amount of alcohol they consume on a daily basis however an even larger number are drinking less or have stopped entirely.
Nearly half (47%) of people who drank once a week or less have cut down or stopped consuming alcohol completely, compared with just over a quarter (27%) of people who drank two to six times a week, and just one in five (17%) of daily drinkers.
The World Health Organisation have warned against excessive drinking during the lockdown stating, ‘at times of lockdown, alcohol consumption can exacerbate health vulnerability, risk-taking behaviours, mental health issues and violence.
‘Alcohol consumption is associated with a range of communicable and noncommunicable diseases and mental health disorders, which can make a person more vulnerable to COVID-19.
‘In particular, alcohol compromises the body’s immune system and increases the risk of adverse health outcomes. Therefore, people should minimize their alcohol consumption at any time, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.’
Carina Ferreira-Borges, Programme Manager, Alcohol and Illicit Drugs Programme, WHO/Europe continued “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we should really ask ourselves what risks we are taking in leaving people under lockdown in their homes with a substance that is harmful both in terms of their health and the effects of their behaviour on others, including violence,”
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