Other than using the term ‘bleedin’ obviously, I couldn’t formulate a good joke to frame this research precisely. ~ Cr
SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY
** Strictly embargoed until 00:01 (GMT) Thursday, February 3, 2022 **
Preventive measures linked to increased drinking at home
- New study looking at how lockdown has changed drinking habits in England and Scotland has been published
- Findings show an increase in late-night home drinking as well as drinking alone
- At-home drinking is an area that is being studied, the researchers say, and highlight the need to monitor the long-term effects of drinking behavior at home.
Containment measures throughout 2020 are linked to more alcohol consumption in Scotland and the UK by people at home, according to a new study.
The latest study, from researchers at the University of Sheffield and the University of Glasgow, measured the impact of COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 on drinking practices, using data on nearly 300,000 adults. drink alcohol.
The study was published in the journal Addictionfound that although people generally drank the same amount of alcohol in limited time as if they had no limit, locking the door appeared to be related to the habit shift to drinking at home , in the late evening.
In Scotland, the study found that there was also an increase in drinking alone, although the researchers say this could be explained by a higher proportion of people living alone in Scotland than in the UK.
Drinking at home is still an under-researched area, and while the long-term effects of these recent changes are unknown, the study authors suggest that these new drinking habits should closely watched as we move into a less restrictive phase.
During the UK’s first shutdown, venues such as pubs and restaurants were closed, affecting the type of places where people can drink. Restrictions have been eased since July 2020, with pubs and restaurants gradually allowed to reopen. However, from September 2020 in response to the increased number of cases, a series of national and local restrictions were introduced and once again impacted guest facilities.
The team studied 41,500 adults drinking in Scotland and more than 250,000 adults drinking in the UK, focusing on the initial lockdown in March 2020, the easing of restrictions in July 2020 and the start of the lockdown. beginning of the next restrictions in September 2020 until December 2020.
Although the figures show no statistical difference in the total number of units of alcohol consumed per week during different periods of the first year of the pandemic, a more detailed analysis shows that the Restrictions on restriction are linked to people starting to drink later in the day and Scotland, where there is a higher proportion of people living alone, drinking alone.
Dr Abigail Stevely, co-author of the study from the University of Sheffield’s Alcohol Research Group, said: “Despite some concern that people might drink more during the day, we’ve actually seen a shift towards people starting to drink later in the evening during the lockdown. This probably reflects a change in people’s habits and the lack of daytime socializing opportunities like going to the pub with coworkers after work.
“While we found that regulatory restrictions did not change overall alcohol consumption, there is evidence from other studies that heavier drinkers may have increased their consumption of alcohol. their. Therefore, it is important to continue to monitor alcohol consumption during a pandemic to prevent additional health problems in the future. “
The study’s findings show that store-bought alcohol consumption increased after the March 2020 ban and remained higher than in previous years for the remainder of 2020, even during the period. embargo restrictions are eased. Meanwhile, alcohol consumption in hotels declined following the March 2020 closures and remained lower than in previous years for the remainder of 2020.
The researchers believe this is most likely to be explained by three reasons: even when commercial facilities reopen, they are still operating at reduced capacity; some venues (eg nightclubs and live music venues) remain closed; Some people will continue to stay away from reception facilities even during periods of less restrictiveness because of fears of contracting COVID-19.
Dr Iain Hardie, lead author of the study from the University of Glasgow’s MRC/CSO Public Health and Social Sciences Unit, said:Going forward, it remains unclear the long-term consequences of changes in alcohol consumption in 2020. With hotel catering establishments operating at near full capacity, it is likely that alcohol consumption will increase. Alcohol consumption in these locations will be close to pre-pandemic levels, although they are likely to fall back in response to new variations if restrictions are reintroduced or people fear indoor spaces. .
“However, the increase in home drinking in 2020 is a cause for concern. We know from other studies that alcohol-related harm has increased during the pandemic. The increase in drinking at home may have contributed to this. In the past, drinking at home was a relatively well-studied topic, and now it will need to be followed up more in the future to find out if people’s drinking habits at home in 2020 will become the norm. a new norm in people’s drinking behavior or not. ”
Research, ‘Impact of changes in COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on alcohol consumption and drinking occasion characteristics in Scotland and England in 2020: an interrupted time series analysis‘published in Addiction. The work was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. Medical Research Council and Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government.
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is one of the world’s top 100 universities, renowned for the excellence, impact and distinctiveness of research-based learning and teaching.
As a member of the UK’s prestigious Russell Group, nearly 30,000 of the brightest students from over 140 countries study alongside some of the most distinguished academics from around the globe.
Sheffield’s track record of excellence in teaching and research is consistently confirmed by independent international assessments. Renowned for their student experience, Sheffield’s Student Union is regularly voted the best in the UK.
The University’s research, innovation and life-enhancing education have not only changed the lives of our graduates, but also shaped the world we live in. In the most recent UK Research Excellence Framework, 86% of Sheffield research was rated as world or international excellence.
With six Nobel laureates among its former staff and students, Sheffield has a proud history of discovery, innovation and social change. In 1930, it pioneered the first medical use of penicillin, while more recently researchers have developed a lifesaving drug to treat ovarian and breast cancer.
Today, it is pioneering research into sustainable farming to protect the world’s food supply, recreating the interiors of the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear reactors to support cleanup and cooperation. with the world’s largest social media companies to protect vulnerable users from harmful content.
Focused on equipping students for life after Sheffield, research-based excellence in teaching is empowering the next generation of global citizens.
JOURNEYS
Addiction
ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE
February 3, 2022
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