United Kingdom: Lockdown could lead to an increase in harmful drinking warning
One in four people were already overdoing the booze before the pandemic
By Annie Gouk & Colleen Smith, Reporter
April 6, 2020
Social distancing could lead to a surge in harmful drinking, a charity has warned – with one in four people in Devon already overdoing the booze before the lockdown.
The necessary social distancing measures in place to slow down the spread of Covid-19 mean many people are staying at home and becoming more socially isolated.
Figures show that many people who drink alone at home blame a lack of social contact and the fear is that this will become worse during the pandemic lockdown.
Figures from Public Health England show that 25 per cent of adults in Devon regularly consume more than 14 units a week – lower than the national average of 26 per cent.
Meanwhile 1.3 per cent of people in Devon are estimated to have an alcohol dependence, and are potentially in need of specialist treatment.
Data from the drug, alcohol and mental health charity ‘We Are With You’ shows that 80 per cent of the older adults it supports drink at home alone, citing issues such as loneliness and lack of social contact as key reasons.
Higher risk drinkers are much more likely to drink on their own at home, with 50 per cent of people in this category citing a loss of a sense of purpose as a reason for increasing their alcohol use.
Now the charity warns that increased social isolation could lead to a surge in harmful drinking across the population.
Research by market research firm Kantar found alcohol sales increased by 22 per cent in March, with Britons spending an extra £160m on alcohol in the first three weeks of the month.
Harmful alcohol consumption is defined by Public Health England as someone drinking more than 14 units per week, equivalent to six pints of beer or six glasses of wine.
If people exceed these limits they are at increased risk of developing health issues such as liver disease, high blood pressure, cancer and strokes.
Increased drinking could also put extra strain on the NHS through alcohol related hospital admissions, while regular alcohol use can lower people’s immune system.