How Alcohol Affects Your Body After 40
If one thing has been in the spotlight in recent months, it’s the amount of alcohol women are now consuming at home. A culture of wine has emerged among women who feel they “deserve” a tall glass of something at the end of a busy day or week. But these drinks add up quickly and the effect they have on health is not good.
Drinkaware conducts an annual survey that provides insight into attitudes and behaviors towards alcohol. Over the past two years, the Drinkaware Barometer has specifically explored the impact of the pandemic on drinking habits, behaviors and attitudes. The 2021 Barometer found that 54% of 35-49 year olds drank at least once a week, with 23% saying they had consumed alcohol in the past 30 days. It also found there was a higher incidence of women who said they drank more alcohol during the initial phase of lockdown at 28% compared to 22% of men.
Not understanding how much alcohol constitutes an episode of binge drinking rings true when looking at the figures associated with alcohol use disorder in Ireland. Eunan McKinney, communications and advocacy manager at Alcohol Action Ireland, says the number of people falling on the alcohol use disorder scale is shocking.
- 66% said a Friday night drink marks the end of a long week
- 79% said they drink once or twice a week, 19% said three or four times and only 2% said every night
- Asked about alcohol consumption during a pandemic, 30% said they were drinking more than before, 21% said they were drinking more but had curbed it now and 49% said no, they didn’t drink anymore.
- Wine is respondents’ favorite drink, with 79% saying it was their favorite drink, 11% choosing spirits and only 10% choosing beer.
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