Has alcohol consumption in England returned to pre‐COVID‐19 pandemic levels? A monthly population study, 2014 to 2024
The prevalence of risky drinking and mean weekly alcohol consumption in England appear to be trending towards pre-pandemic levels but the prevalence of dependent drinking in England appears to have increased since the start of the pandemic and remains elevated compared with pre-pandemic levels. Alcohol-related inequalities may be worsening due to slower declines in consumption following the pandemic among less advantaged drinkers.
Authors
- Vera Helen Buss (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9963-8693)
- John Holmes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9283-2151)
- Lion Shahab (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4033-442X)
- Sarah Elizabeth Jackson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5658-6168)
- Jamie Brown (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2797-5428)
- Colin Angus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0529-4135)
- Melissa Oldham (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5353-9152)
Institutions
- The Behaviouralist (United Kingdom) (GB)
- Spectrum Research (United States) (US)
- University College London (GB)
- University of Sheffield (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Addiction
- Published
- 2025-11-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/add.70258
- Primary Topic
- Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Cancer Research UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Research
- British Heart Foundation
- Public Health Agency
- Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate
- Medical Research Council
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- Economic and Social Research Council
- Natural Environment Research Council
- Health and Social Care Research and Development Division