A quarter of Irish adults have said they're drinking more since the outbreak of Covid-19, with half drinking every week, a new survey has found.
The pubs may be closed for the time being, but that hasn't stopped us relaxing with a glass of something each week. With more of us staying at home and finding ways to unwind – whether alone or over video meet-ups and dates – alcohol consumption has gone up.
A new survey carried out by Drinkaware – the national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol misuse – focused on the 30-day period leading to 24th April 2020 and asked respondents about their drinking habits.
They found that 52% of Irish adults are drinking weekly, compared to 44% of adults surveyed last year.
The survey also offered an interesting glimpse into what people are doing during these stressful times. When asked how they had been drinking in the last 30 days, 14% said that they were now drinking four times or more a week.
In almost half the households asked (47%), there were increased tensions, with 88% of the respondents saying they chose alcohol to help them "relax and unwind".
But many are taking this time to change parts of their lifestyles, too, as 31% of the respondents said they'd made positive changes to their drinking habits during the lockdown. Also, 25% have cut back on how much they drink.
Commenting on the findings, Sheena Horgan, Drinkaware CEO, said: "This new research shows how the new norm is changing Irish drinking habits and attitudes. For some, it's a time to reflect and to change their alcohol consumption. For others, alcohol is a coping and stress relief at a difficult time.
"The use of alcohol to relax or unwind is not new but it is concerning, and at 88% almost universal. As we enter the first phase of easing restrictions, we need to renew our efforts to explore alternative and healthier coping strategies that don’t involve consistent and potentially harmful drinking.
"That said, there is clearly an appetite for and willingness to change among Irish adults, with almost one-third having already made positive changes to cut down or cut out alcohol over the past month."
Read the full report here.
