© Provided by The iMore than 30,000 adults were questioned about their drinking behaviour during the pandemic (Photo: Getty)
A quarter of people in the UK drank more than usual during the first lockdown, with younger women and those suffering from anxiety especially prone, a UCL study has found.
More than 30,000 adults were questioned about their drinking behaviour between 21 March and 4 April for the study, published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Just over a third (34.3 per cent) were not drinking but among people who drank, 48.1 per cent reported drinking about the same, 26.2 per cent reported drinking more and 25.7 per cent reported drinking less than usual.
Increased drinking
The study shows that younger women with post-16 educational qualifications and a household income over £30,000 were more likely to report increased alcohol consumption. Researchers also found that having an anxiety disorder, being stressed about finances or about catching or becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 were factors associated with drinking more.
Lead author Dr Claire Garnett said: "Women might be more likely to drink more than usual during lockdown because they have been more negatively affected by the pandemic through increased gender inequalities as women are more likely to lose their jobs and carry the burdens of increased childcare and housework."
© Provided by The iBeing stressed about finances or about catching Covid-19 were factors associated with drinking more (Photo: PA)
Anxiety
Having an anxiety disorder was associated with drinking more than usual and the authors noted it is possible that people with anxiety disorders are changing their drinking behaviour to self-medicate or as an unhelpful coping mechanism during a period of increased anxiety.
Drinking less than usual during the surveyed week was independently associated with being younger, male, BAME, having a household income lower than £30,000, having been diagnosed with or suspected to have Covid-19, taking on Covid-19 related protective behaviours, being stressed about becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 and not being a key worker.
Co-author Dr Melissa Oldham said: "These findings show that one in four drinkers have reported an increase in their consumption since lockdown began, and that targeted approaches to provide support for certain groups who are more likely to drink more is needed, particularly with the start of this third lockdown."
The team is now recruiting for a new study comparing different online support tools to help people who want to cut down on alcohol consumption, with an eligibility test live at ideastrial.co.uk.