Toll of lockdown drinking amounts to 25,000 deaths

INCREASED drinking during lockdown could cause up to 25,000 extra deaths, a study suggests.

Researchers at the University of Sheffield were commissioned by NHS England to measure changes to the nation’s drinking habits, and alcohol-related health impacts, from the pandemic.

The report found while lighter drinkers cut their consumption during Covid, heavier drinkers drank more and may not return to their pre-pandemic levels.

The proportion of adults drinking at risky levels also rose from 25.6 per cent to 32.9 per cent during the pandemic.

Among over-65s, those drinking at risky levels increased from 15.6 per cent to 21.6 per cent. Those aged 25-34 increased their drinking the most on average, the study found, but older groups were consuming more alcohol before the pandemic.

Pre-pandemic, over-65s who were risky drinkers consumed 13.93 units per week, on average, compared to 9.78 for 25-34 year olds.

During the pandemic, those figures increased to 13.96 for over-65s and 10.89 for 25-34s – an 11 per cent increase for the younger group.

In a worst-case scenario, experts predict an extra 972,382 alcohol-related hospital admissions and 25,192 deaths, which will cost the NHS £5.2billion over the next 20 years compared to if consumption had stayed at 2019 levels.

In a best-case scenario, where drinking behaviours return to pre-pandemic levels this year, an additional 42,677 alcohol-related hospital admissions and 1,830 deaths would be expected.

The researchers used data from the Alcohol Toolkit Study (ATS), a monthly survey asking about 1,700 adults in England about their alcohol consumption.

ATS data suggest the proportion of adults drinking at risky levels during Covid fell after an initial spike in the spring 2020 lockdown, but that fall has since reversed.

“Given that these impacts come at a time when there are significant pressures affecting the NHS as a result of the pandemic, the Government should give due consideration to policies aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and the associated burden of harm,” the researchers said.