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Regular drinkers consuming
more during lockdown
A
lmost 20 per cent
of daily drinkers are
consuming more
alcohol during the
coronavirus lockdown,
according to research commissioned
by Alcohol Change UK. However,
while more than a fifth of drinkers
overall are now drinking more often,
one in three are either drinking
less frequently or have stopped
completely, with the lockdown
changing the way people drink ‘at
both ends of the scale’.
The survey, of more than 2,000
people, suggests that 14m UK adults
are either drinking less often or
not at all, while just under 9m are
drinking more frequently. Almost 40
per cent of current or past drinkers
said they were taking steps to
manage their drinking.
People who were already drinking
the least are more likely to have
reduced their consumption – almost
half who drank once a week or
less have cut down or stopped,
compared to 27 per cent of those
who drank between two and six
times a week and 17 per cent of daily
drinkers. ‘Worryingly’, 18 per cent
of daily drinkers are now drinking
more, it states. Around 7 per cent
of respondents also said they were
living in a household where drinking
– either their own or someone else’s
– had worsened tensions, rising to 14
per cent of those living with children.
The figures supported what Adfam
had ‘been hearing from families,’ said
its chief executive Vivienne Evans.
‘Family and household members are
largely unrecognised victims of the
harm alcohol can cause.’
‘This is the most extensive
research yet into drinking during
lockdown and it shows that this
unprecedented period is having a
significant impact on the way the UK
drinks,’ said Alcohol Change UK chief
executive Dr Richard Piper. ‘More
than one in five of us are finding
ourselves drinking more frequently in
lockdown; many of us use alcohol as
our go-to stress reliever, and in this
very stressful time it’s not surprising
that we might find ourselves
reaching for a drink more often. But
at the same time people across the
UK are rising to the challenge by
taking steps to manage our drinking.
More than a third of us are putting in
GAMES DELAYED
‘This is the most
extensive research
yet into drinking
during lockdown.’
DR RICHARD PIPER
place ways to keep our drinking in hand,
ranging from taking drink-free days to
using online support groups. We want
to come out of lockdown as mentally
and physically healthy as we possibly
can, and managing our drinking is an
important part of that.’
Drug market
movements London rough sleepers
housed in hotels
RELEASE is setting up a network of people
to shed light on COVID-19’s effect on the UK
drugs market and wants to hear from people
who use or supply drugs on issues such as
whether there are more adulterated drugs, if
new substances are appearing, and whether
prices have gone up. ‘Like many commodities,
the drugs market is likely to suffer from
stockpiling and shortages,’ says the charity.
‘These are just some of the questions we are
interested in, but any information you have
on the market is welcomed. The purpose of
this learning is to ensure we can share the
most accurate harm reduction messages,
signpost people to the right harm reduction
interventions and to treatment if that is
what they want.’ Visit www.release.org.uk/
coronavirus-drug-purchases-impact-survey
or use the confidential phone line or email
address on the website. MORE THAN 1,000 HOMELESS
PEOPLE in London are self-
isolating in hotels and other
locations during the COVID-19
outbreak, according to the
mayor’s office. City Hall has been
working with the government
and charities to block-book rooms
across hotel chains including
Best Western, Travelodge,
InterContinental and Accor.
Specialist rough sleeper support
is being overseen by St Mungo’s, while Change Grow Live, Turning Point
and Phoenix Futures are providing substance misuse support. Anyone
developing symptoms of COVID-19 will be referred to a specialist facility
in a hotel in east London. The operation is being funded by a £10.5m
grant from the mayor and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and
Local Government. The government had previously written to all local
authorities instructing them to find emergency accommodation for
rough sleepers by the end of March (DDN, April, page 4).
WWW.DRINKANDDRUGSNEWS.COM
Local News
This year’s Recovery Games
will be delayed until August
2021, the organisers have
announced. ‘The safety of
the hundreds of competitors,
spectators and everyone
involved in putting the event
together is our main priority,’
said senior day programme
lead at Aspire, Neil Firbank.
‘We will be back in 2021
with an exciting new look
and activities.’
LOCAL UPDATES
The Blue Light project has
published an update on
dependent drinkers during
the coronavirus outbreak,
based on conversations
with providers around
the country. Details at
https://alcoholchange.
org.uk/blog/2020/covid-
19-supporting-the-most-
vulnerable-drinkers
CAPITAL SERVICE
WDP has teamed up with
InPost to offer its Capital
Card users essential items
via 24/7 contact-free locker
delivery across locations in
London and Cheshire. 'It is
testament to the tireless
efforts of our Capital Card
team who thought outside
the box to get the best for
our service users under
lockdown,' said WDP chair
Yasmin Batliwala.
MAY 2020 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • 5