A REPORT published today reveals “alarming” increases in alcohol consumption in Scotland during lockdown.

As restrictions tighten again, alcohol education group Drinkaware fears a wave of alcohol-related health problems.

It is calling on the Government and Scottish employers to urgently consider the pandemic’s effect on drinking behaviours and immediately prioritise the impact of alcohol harm.

Drinkaware’s Monitor 2020 shows that more than one-quarter of adult drinkers in Scotland (29%) drank more alcohol during early lockdown. And while many people began to reduce their drinking, one in 10 Scottish drinkers – the equivalent of 370,000 adults – drank more than their normal throughout the overall lockdown period, even as restrictions eased.

Job insecurity and negative mental health were major factors associated with people drinking more.

The call to the Government and employers includes alcohol consumption being looked at as a factor within mental health strategies and for employers to include alcohol consumption in their wellbeing programmes and policies.

READ MORE: Scottish NHS chiefs hoping to roll-out coronavirus vaccine in six weeks

Drinkaware’s YouGov study of 1318 Scottish adults – and 9046 UK adults overall – found that those categorised as “higher risk drinkers” – nearly 700,000 Scottish adults – are most likely to have drunk more than normal (22%) throughout the lockdown period, compared with other categories of drinker in Scotland. This group was also more likely to be drinking on more days a week than usual – and to drink earlier in the day than usual.

Drinkaware chief executive Elaine Hindal, said: “Our Monitor shows that when people are feeling fragile – whether they’re uncertain about their futures or struggling with working at home – they could be reaching for a drink. And while some people adapt, many might not be getting to grips with the so-called new normal, continuing to drink more than they usually would.

“Drinking can cause mental health conditions or make them worse, negatively affect your sleep, lead to weight gain, and has the potential to impair your immune function. It can also have many other serious long-term mental and physical health consequences. As a nation we must wake up to the health impact of drinking so much alcohol.

“The evidence clearly links drinking more to job insecurity and negative mental health. If general uncertainty lies ahead, it is crucial we do not sleepwalk into the winter months and ignore these lockdown lessons. Otherwise, the UK could face a wave of alcohol-related health issues.”

The extensive study found the most common reasons people in Scotland gave for drinking more were having more time available and less structure to their day or week.

Hindal added: “We urge the Government to use this new research to support its efforts in tackling alcohol harm, for instance, ensuring alcohol consumption is considered as an important factor in both obesity and mental health national strategies.

“Employers, too, can play a role in supporting staff wellbeing, particularly by being more aware of how the workplace and work-related stress is associated with drinking more.”

The report also found many Scots drinkers drank less during lockdown. – 24% in the early months.