Getting back on the beers after lockdown? Here’s what you should know

If you’re feeling excited about being out of coronavirus lockdown, you’re not alone. Social media is buzzing with plans of big nights out to celebrate the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions in Australia and New Zealand.

But before you go on that big bender, here are some things to keep in mind so you don’t overdo it.

How has lockdown changed our drinking habits?

Several surveys have highlighted the disruption coronavirus has made to our drinking habits. First, there was a run on alcohol, with people stockpiling their favourite drinks. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia reported spending on alcohol was up more than 20 per cent in the initial few weeks of lockdown.

A bartender pours a glass of beer for a customer at a resturant in Sydney on May 15, 2020. - Sydney's bars and restaurants flung open their doors as a weeks-long lockdown eased Friday, but many remained quiet with only a few cautious patrons returning. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
People are urged to follow the rules of bars and clubs during a night out. Source: Getty

Many experts were worried drinking would drastically increase, along with many of its harmful consequences. These include greater risk of mental health problems, family violence, and alcohol dependence.

Data from several sources confirmed drinking habits changed during lockdown. A survey by alcohol advocacy group Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) found people who had been stockpiling alcohol weren’t just keeping it for a rainy day – 70 per cent reported drinking more and 30 per cent were worried about their own or someone else’s drinking.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found, overall, 14 per cent of Australians reported increasing their alcohol consumption, while 10 per cent reported a reduction.

BUNBURY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: A Bartender pours a beer for their customers at the Rose Hotel in Bunbury on May 18, 2020 in Bunbury, Australia. COVID-19 restrictions have further eased across Western Australia in response to the state's declining infection rate. From Monday 18 May, restaurants and cafes can open for up to 20 patrons to dine in, while indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people are also permitted. Regional travel boundaries have also been eased, with temporary regional borders reduced from 13 to four. Travel is permitted within the Mid-West, Gascoyne and Pilbara, the Goldfields-Esperance region and within the Kimberley. While travel between South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt and Peel regions to Perth is also now permitted.Travel between Perth and the other regions remains prohibited, and Western Australia's interstate border also remains closed. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
People should drink responsibly as they return to pubs. Source: Getty

The Australian National University found, in particular, women have been drinking significantly more than pre-lockdown levels. Having child-caring responsibilities was a big predictor of increased alcohol consumption.

The ABS data also found the major increase in drinking was among women. This exacerbates a worrying trend over the past few years of women increasing their drinking.

Hello Sunday Morning, an organisation that helps people change their relationship with alcohol, also reported a significant increase in people accessing their online services.

Your alcohol tolerance may have changed

Changes in the amount you drink can affect your alcohol tolerance. How intoxicated you feel is related to your tolerance, whereas your blood alcohol concentration is more related to how much you have drunk over a certain time period.

This means if you’ve been drinking more during lockdown, your tolerance has probably increased. You would need to consume more alcohol to feel the effects you used to get from fewer drinks. If you feel less of the effects of alcohol, you might drink more without realising it.

FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Customers enjoy a beer at the National Hotel on May 18, 2020 in Fremantle, Australia. COVID-19 restrictions have further eased across Western Australia in response to the state's declining infection rate. From Monday 18 May, restaurants and cafes can open for up to 20 patrons to dine in, while indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people are also permitted. Regional travel boundaries have also been eased, with temporary regional borders reduced from 13 to four. Travel is permitted within the Mid-West, Gascoyne and Pilbara, the Goldfields-Esperance region and within the Kimberley. While travel between South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt and Peel regions to Perth is also now permitted.Travel between Perth and the other regions remains prohibited, and Western Australia's interstate border also remains closed. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
About 14 per cent of Australians reported increasing their alcohol consumption, while 10 per cent reported a reduction. Source: Getty

While you might not feel as drunk, your brain function is still affected and you can still be over the legal limit for driving. Take care to monitor the number of drinks you are consuming and plan how you’ll get home without driving.

Higher tolerance to alcohol means you are also at increased risk of alcohol-related harm. Higher tolerance is associated with alcohol-use disorders and is one of the first signs of dependence.

On the other hand, if you have been drinking less, your tolerance may have decreased so a smaller amount of alcohol will affect you more than normal. This means if you drink the same amount as usual you might get drunk more quickly.

Take it slowly or you might end up a lot drunker than you planned. Monitor how you feel, and if your tolerance has decreased enjoy the extra cash you’re saving on drinks.

How to avoid drinking too much

To help avoid unintentionally drinking more than you planned, keep in mind these simple tips:

  • set limits and count your drinks. Before you start drinking, decide how much you want to drink and stick to it. The draft Australian alcohol guidelines recommend no more than ten standard drinks a week, and no more than four in a day for healthy adults. If you have an existing health problem, alcohol affects you more so you should drink even less. If you are under 18 or pregnant, you shouldn’t drink at all

  • alternate your drinks with water and sip slowly. Have at least one glass of water or a no sugar, non-alcoholic drink for every alcoholic drink. It will help slow you down and can also reduce the likelihood of a nasty hangover the next day. Avoid shots or buying rounds, so you can comfortably sit on your drinks and sip them slowly

  • eat before and during drinking. This will help slow your drinking down and also slows the absorption of alcohol. You’ll be better able to monitor how much you are drinking, so you are less likely to overindulge.

How to have a good time while distancing

While you might be itching for things to get back to normal, we are still distancing while out in public. Make sure you are aware of your state or territory’s restrictions.

FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 06: Bar staff member Jaymee Elliot passes over a pint of beer at the Left Bank after re-opening on June 06, 2020 in Fremantle, Australia. Restrictions continue to ease around Australia in response to the country's declining COVID-19 infection rate. Phase three of eased coronavirus restrictions have come into effect across Western Australia as of midnight 6 June 2020, with the majority of businesses affected by the lockdown permitted to reopen,  including gyms, theatres, beauty services and cinemas. Indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people are also now permitted and up to 300 people will be allowed in some venues subject to spacing rules, while food businesses and licensed premises can operate with seated service. Full contact sport and training is now permitted while playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gym equipment can be used. Most intrastate travel restrictions have been lifted and Rottnest Island has reopened to visitors again. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
People should set limits on how much they drink while out. Source: Getty

Remember your favourite pubs and restaurants have to follow strict rules, so respect the staff and the new practices they have put in place to keep everyone safe. Ask before merging tables, respect capacity limits, sign in with your name and phone number when requested, and use hand sanitiser if offered on arrival.

When out drinking, don’t share drinks and continue to follow COVID-related rules and guidelines such as:

  • keep 1.5 metres away from each other

  • don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth

  • maintain good hygiene practices such as hand-washing

  • download the COVIDSafe app and have it open and running while out.

Where to get help

If you want to lower your tolerance, you can take a break from alcohol and “reset” your system.

To check your consumption, try the AUDIT screening tool online.

If you’d like to talk to someone about your drinking, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015. It’s a free call from anywhere in Australia. You can chat online with a counsellor at CounsellingOnline.

You can also talk to your GP. Many clinics are now conducting appointments via telehealth.

Written by Brigid Clancy, PhD Candidate (Psychiatry) & Research Assistant, University of Newcastle, and Nicole Lee, Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (Melbourne), Curtin University.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence.

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