PEOPLE ARE DRINKING less in Ireland on average, but many of those who are drinking are more likely to do so at home.
A report by economist Anthony Foley on behalf of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) last month found that alcohol consumption has fallen by more than a third since it peaked in 2001.
When you take into account the rising price of a pint (the national average cost was €6.32 in May) and continued pub closures, it’s no wonder that the rate of people drinking at home has increased.
Recent research by Drinkaware found that 55% of Irish drinkers said they are more likely to drink at home than in public social settings.
Almost one in three (31%) of drinkers said they consume alcohol on a weekly basis at home, more than double the rate (15%) of acknowledged home drinking in 2018.
Nearly a quarter (24%) of drinkers said they engage in binge drinking, up from 20% in 2020. Experts told the Irish Independent that the rise in at-home drinking could lead to a rise in problem alcohol use in the coming years.
With this in mind, we thought we would ask our readers who drink alcohol about your own experiences:
- Do you drink more often at home than in the pub/in public social settings?
- Has this always been the case or did it change recently?
- If so, why did it change?
- Do you make an effort to get out to the pub/drink with other people?
- Do you find yourself consuming more or less alcohol at home than you would if you were out with other people?
- Does drinking at home impact your sense of loneliness?
Please get in touch by emailing answers@thejournal.ie and telling us about your experience.
Please include your name, age and county – or let us know if you would like to remain anonymous – and keep your response to a paragraph or two.
Submissions will be used in an article next week, and may be edited for length or clarity.