2024-11-04 09:53:00
During the corona pandemic, excessive alcohol consumption in Germany has decreased significantly. New data is now available: binge drinking is on the rise again among women and men. There is an interesting trend in overall consumption.
According to a study, excessive alcohol consumption has increased again among young people in Germany after the corona pandemic. According to new data from the 2023 Federal Center for Health Education survey, such “binge eating” was now evident in 46.2% of men aged 18 to 25. After a significant decline to 37.8% in 2021, the pre-Corona level has almost been reached again. Among women aged 18 to 25 years, the prevalence of binge drinking increased from 19.0 to 25.1%.
Intoxication means you drank five glasses of alcohol or more at least once in the 30 days before the investigation. For the regular “drug affinity study”, 7,001 people aged between 12 and 25 were interviewed between April and June 2023.
Experts said it was worrying that excessive alcohol consumption had increased significantly again. The previous decline was likely due to limited alcohol consumption opportunities during the Corona period.
Excessive alcohol consumption also increased slightly among young people aged 12 to 17: 17.1% of children reported having recently drunk five glasses of alcohol or more on one occasion, and 10.4 % of girls reported recently drinking five glasses of alcohol or more.
However, drinking alcohol regularly is more unpopular than ever among young adults, according to the study. 38.8% of men between 18 and 25 years old said they had drunk alcohol at least once a week in the twelve months preceding the survey, compared to 18.2% for women. Among boys aged 12 to 17, 12.4% said they regularly drink at least once a week, while among girls 6.9% said so.
The acting director of the Federal Center for Health Education, Johannes Nießen, said: “Alcohol consumption damages the brain, especially in adolescents and young adults, because their brains are still developing. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause permanent damage.” And the earlier young people drink alcohol, the greater the risks and likelihood of carrying this behavior into adulthood.
Young people now drink their first drink at age 15 instead of 14, as in 2004. Young people now have their first drink at 16.2 years old instead of 15.5. According to the survey, 65.1% of boys aged 12 to 17 and 60.8% of girls have ever drunk alcohol in their life.
Federal Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert has once again called for stricter health protection requirements. It is clear that alcohol is not in the hands of young people. “These can no longer remain just slogans.” Therefore, so-called accompanied drinking from the age of 14 must finally stop. “Alcohol doesn’t get healthier because your parents are sitting next to it,” Blienert said. He called for a strict ban on alcohol until the age of 16. For medical reasons, even 18 years would be the necessary limit.
dpa/circle
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Anna Müller, Alcohol Consumption Expert
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Dr. Müller! Thank you for joining us today. Recent data from the 2023 Federal Center for Health Education has shown a significant rise in binge drinking among young people in Germany. As an expert in this field, what were your initial thoughts upon reviewing these findings?
Dr. Anna Müller: Good morning, and thank you for having me! My first reaction was one of concern. While we saw a decrease in excessive alcohol consumption during the pandemic—likely due to limited opportunities for social gathering—this new trend suggests that once restrictions were lifted, many young people reverted to pre-pandemic behaviors.
Editor: That is indeed alarming. The statistics indicate that binge drinking among 18 to 25-year-olds has surged back up to nearly pre-COVID levels, with 46.2% of men and 25.1% of women engaging in binge drinking. What do you think might be contributing to this resurgence?
Dr. Müller: There are several factors at play here. First, the behavioral changes during the pandemic have created a sort of ‘catch-up phenomenon’ where young people may feel they need to make up for lost time. Additionally, social pressures, availability of alcohol, and environment all contribute to these trends. It’s clear that the pandemic did not fundamentally change the relationship young people have with alcohol; it simply altered their consumption patterns temporarily.
Editor: You mentioned a ‘catch-up phenomenon.’ It’s fascinating to think about how social dynamics can influence drinking behaviors. However, there seems to be a contradiction in the data as well—regular drinking among young adults is reportedly less popular than ever. How do you reconcile these two trends?
Dr. Müller: That’s a great observation. What we see is a distinction between binge drinking—drinking heavily on specific occasions—and regular drinking. Young adults may be choosing to drink less frequently but when they do drink, they are engaging in binge drinking. This suggests a shift in social behavior where heavy drinking is normalized during events rather than being a part of everyday life.
Editor: Interesting! The study also highlighted that a notable percentage of younger teenagers—aged 12 to 17—are also partaking in binge drinking. What implications does this have for public health?
Dr. Müller: This is very troubling. With 17.1% of children in that age group admitting to binge drinking, we must consider the long-term effects on their health and development. Early engagement with alcohol can lead to increased risk of addiction, mental health issues, and long-lasting cognitive impairment. this signifies an urgent need for effective education and intervention strategies targeting both teenagers and their parents.
Editor: With these concerning trends in mind, what types of measures or initiatives do you think would be effective in addressing rising binge drinking rates among young people?
Dr. Müller: We need a multifaceted approach—starting with preventive education that emphasizes the risks of excessive alcohol consumption. Schools can play a critical role by implementing programs that promote healthy lifestyles. Additionally, community engagement, parental guidance, and policy measures to limit alcohol availability could be impactful. It’s also essential to create safe environments where young people can socialize without the pressure to drink heavily.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Müller, for your insights today. These trends highlight significant issues that require ongoing attention and action. We hope to see positive changes in alcohol consumption behaviors among the youth in Germany soon.
Dr. Müller: Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial conversation, and I hope our discussion encourages more awareness and proactive measures.