Drinking habits throughout the pandemic - Part IV

Results

Headline findings

Among the 4,000 UK adults surveyed (drinkers and non-drinkers), one-fifth (20%) reported drinking more alcohol than usual since March 2020, and a similar proportion (22%) reported drinking less than usual. Just under four-in-ten (37%) UK adults reported no change to their drinking habits.

Among those who reported drinking more than usual since the pandemic, several groups stood out as being more likely to do so compared to the UK average (20%):

• Those currently drinking at increasing (between 15 and 34 units a week for women, 15 and 49 for men) or higher risk levels (more than 35 units a week for women and more than 50 units for men), with 45% and 66% reporting drinking more than usual.
• Furloughed workers and those either made redundant or in the process of redundancy (39% and 49% respectively).
• Those experiencing negative impacts to their mental health (31%) and experiencing work-related stress (34%).
• Parents of at least one child under the age of 18 (33%).

The most common changes reported were drinking 'more days a week than usual' (15%), 'drinking more alcohol in a single session' (9%), 'having a drink earlier in the day' (9%), and 'drinking alone when I wouldn’t usually' (8%).

Change in drinking habits throughout the pandemic among UK adults who drink alcohol

Our April 2021 survey continued the pattern we have observed throughout the pandemic—a polarisation of change in drinking habits, with similar proportions of drinkers reporting ‘drinking more than they usually would’ and ‘less than they usually would’, with around half of drinkers reporting no change in habits.

Affect on mental and physical health

Our 2020 Monitor and December pulse survey demonstrated the impact the pandemic was having on the nation’s mental and physical health. This has continued into 2021, despite a strong vaccination programme in the UK and a roadmap out of the restrictions.

Between one-fifth and one-third of UK adults reported experiencing negative impacts to their mental and physical health—similar to the findings reported in our December pulse survey.

UK adults drinking at increasing or higher risk levels were more likely to report negative impacts on their mental health (and all other aspects of health) due to the pandemic than adults drinking at low risk levels (less than 14 units per week).

When asked whether the above would get better or worse as the restrictions ease, the vast majority of UK adults expected either no change (42-59%) or an improvement (18-38%). However, for a minority (between 13-16%), they expected further negative impacts.

Summary and Reflections

Over a year after our initial research into lockdown drinking behaviours, our data demonstrate that changes in drinking habits that occurred at the beginning of the pandemic have remained broadly consistent throughout, with similar proportions drinking either more or less than they usually would have.

In addition, it is the same groups that have emerged as being more likely to have increased their alcohol consumption--higher risk drinkers, parents of young children, those facing redundancy or furlough, and those experiencing negative impacts to their mental health. The consistency of this finding would suggest such habits may now be a new normal for some drinkers and targeted support is required.