Scots drinking more in lockdown, new polling finds

More than one million adults in Scotland are consuming more alcohol than before the COVID-19 lockdown began, and for many the rise in drinking is leading to less sleep and lower energy levels, new polling reveals.

However, the same survey also found more than one million adults have reduced how often they drink or stopped drinking altogether.

The polling, by Alcohol Focus Scotland and Alcohol Change UK, showed that a majority of Scots had changed their drinking habits during lockdown.

More regular drinkers were less likely to have cut back during the lockdown. Half of those who drank once a month or less before the lockdown had cut down or stopped drinking completely, however 29 per cent of people who drank four or more times a week before lockdown reported drinking more.

One in five who reported drinking more during lockdown said that the increase had had a negative impact on their lives, with 42 per cent saying drinking more had led to a reduction in the quality of sleep and energy levels, 29 per cent said it made their mental health worse and 23 per cent said it made their physical health worse.

Of those who had cut back on their drinking, 28 per cent reported improvements to their mental health and 35 per cent said their physical health was better, while a quarter said they had become more productive and a third found their energy levels and sleep quality had improved.

Alcohol Focus Scotland chief executive Alison Douglas urged people to keep track of how much they were drinking in lockdown, and recommended people do not drink more than 14 units a week.

“We’re dealing with unprecedented levels of change and we’re all trying our best to adjust to the new circumstances we find ourselves in. It is understandable that we may be feeling more stressed and worried than usual,” she said.

“Many people drink alcohol to relax, forget their problems and combat feelings of stress, but as many people are seeing, it’s not always the best coping mechanism. As well as affecting our sleep, drinking alcohol can make more difficult to manage our negative thoughts and feelings and increase our levels of anxiety. 

“Over the longer term, regularly drinking over 14 units a week can cause more serious health problems, increasing our risk of cancer, stroke and liver disease.

“It’s positive to see many people taking active steps to manage their drinking such as having alcohol-free days, not buying a lot of alcohol at one time or stopping completely.  But it’s those who are greatest risk who are finding it harder to cut down.

“If you are drinking at home, it’s a good idea to try and keep track of how much you’re having, stay within the low-risk limits of 14 units a week and try to make sure you have alcohol-free days.

“And, if you need support, there is lots available on-line and by phone, including from We Are With You and Alcoholics Anonymous, who are running virtual support groups.”