A LEADING charity warns that lockdown and the strain of the Covid-19 pandemic may be increasing the triggers that lead people towards drink. Analysis of Public Health England’s (PHE) data carried out by The Royal College of Psychiatrists in September 2020 found that over 8.4 million people were drinking at high risk levels in the UK. That s almost double the 4.8 million high-risk drinkers recorded in February 2020, before the first national lockdown began in March. In a survey by PHE published in January 2021, almost a quarter of adults said they noticed they were drinking more alcohol since the lockdowns began. And almost half of those who drank more during the second lockdown said they wanted to cut back on alcohol this year.
Meanwhile, Carla attended a meeting with a new client, only to discover it was Lucas, a blast from the past she met when living in Devon.
Carla called at No.1 to offer Peter her support, but when he made it clear that he doesn t want her anywhere near him, she headed off to lunch with Lucas, who revealed he d booked a hotel for the weekend and would like her to join him. ITV
Back at No. 1, Roy urged Peter to make things up with Carla, warning him that it could be too late if he didn t act fast.
With Ken administering Peter s whisky and Carla readying to leave for the weekend, Peter asked her not to go.
Speaking about Laurel s grief and the strain it s putting on her and Jai s relationship, Bellamy said: Laurel and Jai are not really communicating well. They re not talking about the termination because it s too painful, so they re dealing with it separately. That s obviously very dangerous because they re both on different paths. They re both addicts and Laurel really wants a drink. It s a dangerous thing to do but she thinks it s the only way she can get through this.
Bellamy also mentioned that having vodka in the house is a massive temptation for Laurel. After she purchases the alcohol, she cannot forget about it and because she s in so much emotional pain, Laurel sees it as a coping mechanism.
At home there is no moderation, except by partners
A good glass of wine is one of the few remaining pleasures yet to have evaporated in lockdown. But almost a year after restrictions were first imposed, our consumption has risen sharply: a new YouGov poll for Public Health England found that by last month, 5.7 per cent of adults were drinking more than 50 units of alcohol a week (equivalent to five bottles of wine), compared to an estimated 3.4 per cent the year prior.
The biggest jump was among those aged 55-64, which has left experts warning that for midlifers, at-home lockdown drinking could be more harmful than a night out.