A new study, led by the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, found that lockdown measures throughout 2020 have been linked to people in Scotland and England drinking more at home.

Photo of a person drinking a glass of wine at home

In Scotland, there was an increase in solitary drinking, although this could be explained by a higher proportion of people living alone in Scotland than in England.

Dr Iain Hardie said:

"The increase in home drinking in 2020 is a concern. We know from other studies that alcohol related harm has risen during the pandemic."

Read the paper


First published: 14 March 2018