FDS Insight Newsletter Oct-Dec 2020

14 Alcohol consumption rises in Australia as COVID pandemic continues Dr Ananya Mandal, News Medical Life Sciences (11/8/20) new survey from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation has found that 12 percent of Australians have begun consuming alcohol on a daily basis since the coronavirus pandemic began a few months back. The survey showed that many Australians who did not drink regularly before have picked up the habit. The survey The Alcohol and Drug Foundation conducted this survey where they provided questionnaires to over a thousand individuals, which they answered anonymously regarding their alcohol use since the start of the pandemic. One in ten reported they were consuming over ten standard drinks per week. A large number reported they were drinking almost regularly and drinking more than what they did before. Risk of disease Alcohol consumption is associated with several diseases, including liver damage, cancers, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, etc. With a rise in drinking habits, more and more people are at risk of these diseases, say experts. Professor Terry Bowles, from the University of Melbourne, who deals with dependence and addictions, said that quite a large number of persons have picked up the habit of drinking since the inception of the pandemic. He said, ‘Routine behaviors, which can have a profound impact on our lives, do not take a long time to form. So, as restrictions are gradually lifted across Australia, and we emerge from months of isolation, we have passed the threshold of time required to establish new habits. Lockdown and drinking Melbourne has been put under its second lockdown to break the chain of transmission of the coronavirus. A lockdown mandates people to stay indoors and bans public gatherings. According to mental health experts, the last lockdown saw this spurt in drinking habits, and this second round may again raise the risk of excessive alcohol use among the general public. ‘Wish I hadn’t drunk so much’ The survey shows that nearly 20 percent of the population knew they were drinking more than they should and wished they drank less during the lockdowns. Quite a few hopes that they can reduce the amount of alcohol they consume over the next few weeks. The survey showed that 28 percent of the younger participants aged between 18 and 35 years wanted to cut down on their drinking. Similarly, 22 percent of those aged between 35 and 53 and 10 percent of those aged over 54 wanted to cut down on their drinking. Campaign to reduce alcohol consumption The Alcohol and Drug Foundation has announced the start of its new campaign called ‘Break the Habit’ this A