COVID-19 is not only disrupting services for people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and their families, but may also be linked to an increase in rates due to an uptick in alcohol use.
While many people said they drank more during the pandemic, others actually drank less, mainly because socialising at clubs, pubs and parties wasn’t possible.
Beer was extremely popular in ancient Mesopotamia. Sipped through straws, it differed from today’s beer and was enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
With regular music festivals, people can more easily seek help or advice about drug and alcohol or mental health issues. But with drive-ins we need to be creative to minimise harms.
As well as introducing mandatory pregnancy alcohol warning labels, we need to address the high rates of alcohol use during pregnancy at a societal level.
Women have reported increased drinking at higher levels than men during the coronavirus pandemic. This is likely because their mental health is suffering.
Are you drinking more while in lockdown? Here are some things to look out for if you’re concerned about how much alcohol you’re consuming at the moment.
Sales of alcohol have reported jumped by around a quarter as people bulk buy wine, beers and spirits. That could lead to a range of short-term and long-term problems.
Lockdown should be nuanced to the South African context of overcrowded accommodation and high levels of domestic violence. Permitting cigarette purchases and exercise might assist.
Professor, Director of Research and Statistical Support Service and Program Leader for Substance Use and Mental Health, Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland