The number of people drinking more than the recommended levels has doubled during lockdown with addiction services in England issuing warnings as they struggle to cope with such little funding. After near six months of lockdown, peoples drinking habits seem to have changed drastically.
Analysing data from Public Health England, the Royal College of Psychiatrists found that the number of ‘higher-risk drinkers’ was up by one fifth at 19% in June compared to 10.8% in February. In real figures, that means 4.8million more people are drinking above the recommended units of no more than 14 per week compared to February – totalling 8.4million people In the UK in June.
‘Addiction services have been starved of funding in recent years meaning many are not able to treat and care for the huge numbers of people who are drinking at high risk,’ Dr Adrian James, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists told The Guardian. ‘More lives will be needlessly lost to addiction unless the government acts now and commits to substantial investment in public health, including adult addiction services, in the spending review.’
One month into lockdown, Grazia explored the changing alcohol habits of women as we remained isolated in our homes. While none of them felt they were addicted to drinking alcohol, there were certainly some who had grown concerned over the health impacts of their increased consumption.
Near five months later, we revisit the women whose alcohol habits changed because of lockdown – for better or worse – to see where they stand now.
Jaya, 25, Liverpool: 'I was drinking every evening before, but it was still less than now'
In April, Jaya was using alcohol to relax...
‘I usually only drink on the weekends, but now that they don’t exist I’ve been having either a wine or gin and tonic every evening. I wouldn’t say it’s an unhealthy relationship right now, it’s just a relaxing way to end the day and it helps me unwind. I feel like when you’re working from home all the time and your work space and personal life are so intertwined, you need to do whatever you can to relax and differentiate the days from the nights.’
Now, she's drinking more but less often...
'I would definitely say alcohol has gone back to being a sociable weekend thing for me. I can’t remember the last time I had a drink just sat at home on a weekday. But my alcohol intake has probably increased because going out for drinks means drinking far more. Ultimately I think the lockdown lifestyle was probably a lot better for my liver.'
Lucy, 30, Manchester: 'I was teetotal, not anymore'
In April, Lucy said...
‘I’m normally a big binge drinker and go out at least once a week, but in quarantine I’m not drinking it at all - I haven’t had a single drop of alcohol since the day before lockdown. I do miss it and I can’t wait to go out and have a few drinks but I drink to get drunk, not to relax. I’ve never been the type to drink at home or have a few glasses to “wind down”, I just do it when I’m out with friends and can make the most of it, so in that way my relationship with alcohol hasn’t changed. Although, I have now started smoking to try and relax – but I hope to cut down and stop that when my stress eases off a bit. ‘
Now, she's back to her old ways.
'Now that we're allowed to go back out, i'm definitely drinking more. I like to make plans at least once a week and usually end up having at least one, if not a big session. If we go back into full lockdown i'll definitely be teetotal again, but i've always been a big social drinker and that hasn't changed now I can finally see friends again.'
Julie*, 35, London: 'I'm not drinking like it's the end of the world anymore'
In April, Julie was worried about her alcohol consumption...
‘I literally cannot stop drinking – there are signs that if it wasn’t a national pandemic, I’d probably worry about, for instance just counting down throughout the day until my evening drink. But then I know loads of my friends are the same – we’re all chatting about the daily countdown, no matter what our circumstances.
‘On a few WhatsApp groups I’m on, we all send pictures to each other and say CHEERS! It’s weird really, but it feels like a social thing, even though there’s no socialising. I know other groups of friends aren’t like that and look at me a bit funny if I “turn up” to a Zoom call with a glass of wine, but I try to just ignore that. I’ve always been more boozy than lots of my friends.
‘I think the main things lots of us (in the boozy side of my friendship groups) are chatting about is not having a night off. Most of us aren’t getting hammered, but it’s low level and constant and it feels like SUCH a big deal to not drink one night. I think in the back of our minds we’re all thinking, “Hmmm, I really can’t have a night off, is that bad?” but then there are just bigger things to worry about, it feels like. It’s such a "I’ll worry about that later" thing.
‘We’ll all message saying we’re trying to have a night off, then cave eventually later in the evening, because, “Why the fuck not?” That’s the buzz phrase at the moment, “Why the fuck not?” It’s the answer to everything – definitely the answer to filling up another glass…’
Now, she's settled down...
'As lockdown has gone on I've drunk less at home. I definitely think it's become more "real life'" and not just something that feels like a party at the end of the world, so only really drink at weekends. Also, when lockdown restrictions eased, it was easier to meet people and enjoy alcohol at dinners or socially distanced nights out, so my relationship started to go back to what it was more in the beginning .'
Anna, 32, Leeds: 'Drinking at home is the only way to keep life resembling pre-2020'
In April, Anna was off the booze completely...
‘I’m drinking less as I mainly drink to get drunk when I’m out and socialising – yes, I know I sound like a teenager. I love sociable drinking, but because I’m not socialising at the moment I haven’t been bothering. Also, my partner and I will usually watch a series or a film in the evenings and I feel like there’s no point drinking through that because I’ll just fall asleep. I can’t wait to get trashed when all this is over, but for now, not drinking as much is one of the few healthy things I’ve got.’
But now, she's drinking more than ever...
'Looking back at my answer from April I barely recognise myself. It’s true, through lockdown I ditched the booze as I adjusted to our new antisocial world inside. Ohh how I wish I could say I kept up the healthy habit. As soon as lockdown eased and we were allowed to see friends again I quickly took drinking back up, and there’s been no sudden change since to shake me out of it this time. As well as more social-drinking, my at-home intake is gradually on the rise: now it’s normal for me to have a glass or two of wine each night at home and last week I even make myself a vodka, soda and lime, which I would never have done unless I had friends over before lockdown. Perhaps now I know this isn’t temporary and I’m not willing to go a year without booze, I’ve decided drinking at home is the only way to keep life resembling anything like it was pre-2020.
Claudia, 26, London: 'Now that my anxiety isn't so bad, I'm letting off steam with alcohol a lot more'
In April, Claudia was too health-conscious to drink...
‘I’ve stopped drinking entirely in lockdown, I just don’t see the point. I drink to get drunk and dance, so I don’t normally drink in the home anyway. Plus, I’d be worried about the impact on my mental health. My anxiety has been through the roof since this all started so I think with the added effects of a hangover and feeling generally groggy or unhealthy, I’d risk spiralling into a real bad place. It also just feels kind of irresponsible to do anything that could make my physical health more vulnerable at the minute – but that’s probably my anxiety talking.
‘I would love to find a way to relax after a hard day and that might’ve been drinks with friends before, but I’ve just been trying to do yoga or meditate in place of my usual vices to save on the risk.’
Now, she's much less anxious and much more alcohol-prone...
'Reading that back, I can remember how nervous I was at how bad my mental health had gotten. Now, I'm far less worried and my drinking habits are reflecting that. I still don't tend to drink if i'm not socialising - unless the footballs on, of course - but i've arranged all my friend reunions with one or two people at a time so I ended up having quite a few big drinking sessions. Honestly, it really helped my anxiety. The hangovers were absolutely awful, don't get me wrong, but letting off steam in a big way really made me feel normal again. I probably am more at risk of reaching for wine when I'm bored now since i'm less concerned about the impact on my mental health, but frankly with how long this is all lasting I think we all deserve the odd glass or big night out.'
*name has been changed
If you or someone you care about are suffering from addiction support can be found here: Mind , Al-Anon , UKNA
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