Alarming increase
Who drinks a lot of alcohol in Germany?
November 4, 2024 – 11:21 a.mReading time: 3 min.
Since the pandemic, excessive drinking among young people has increased sharply again. A new study shows which group of people is particularly affected.
According to a study, excessive alcohol consumption has increased again among young people in Germany after the corona pandemic. Such “binge drinking” was now evident in 46.2 percent of men between the ages of 18 and 25, according to new survey data from the Federal Center for Health Education from 2023.
After the significant decline in 2021 to 37.8 percent, the pre-Corona level has now almost been reached again. Among women aged 18 to 25, the prevalence of binge drinking rose from 19.0 to 25.1 percent.
Intoxication means that you say you drank five glasses of alcohol or more at least once in the 30 days before the survey. For the Federal Center’s regular “drug affinity study” 7,001 people between the ages of twelve and 25 were surveyed between April and June 2023.
Drinking low on a regular basis
However, according to the study, drinking alcohol regularly is more unpopular than ever among young adults. 38.8 percent of 18 to 25-year-old men said that they drank alcohol at least once a week in the twelve months before the survey - the figure for women was 18.2 percent. Among boys between the ages of twelve and 17, 12.4 percent said they drank regularly at least once a week – and 6.9 percent of girls said this.
A distinction is made between risky consumption, harmful use and alcohol dependence. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined various criteria for the diagnosis of alcohol dependence, at least three of which must be met within a year. These include, among other things, a strong desire for alcohol and withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting or inner restlessness.
The acting head 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.” Binge drinking can cause permanent damage. And the earlier young people drink alcohol, the greater the risks and the likelihood of carrying the behavior into adulthood. Federal Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert warned: “No matter how much and what you drink, every sip is harmful.”
- You can find out exactly how alcohol damages the brain here.
The point in time at which alcohol plays a role has been pushed back by one year of life since 2004: young people now drink their first glass at the age of 15 instead of 14, as was the case back then. This is still below the age limit of 16, from which young people can drink The federal center explained that people are allowed to buy beer and wine. Young people now have their first intoxication at the age of 16.2 instead of 15.5. According to the survey, 65.1 percent of boys between the ages of twelve and 17 and 60.8 percent of girls had ever drunk alcohol in their lives.
The Federal Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert once again called for stricter health protection requirements. “Alcohol is available around the clock and everywhere,” said the SPD politician. Promoted through advertising, many people too naturally resorted to a beer after work, wine at a family celebration or champagne at a birthday party.
It is clear that alcohol does not belong 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 come to an end. “Alcohol doesn’t become healthier because your parents are sitting next to it,” said Blienert. He called for a strict ban on alcohol up to the age of 16. For medical reasons, even 18 years would be the necessary limit.
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Johannes Nießen, Head of the Federal Center for Health Education
Editor: Good morning, Johannes. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the concerning rise in alcohol consumption among young people in Germany. The recent study conducted by the Federal Center for Health Education indicates that “binge drinking” has rebounded after the pandemic. What do the latest statistics reveal about this trend?
Johannes Nießen: Good morning, and thank you for having me. Indeed, the statistics are alarming. The study shows that among men aged 18 to 25, the prevalence of binge drinking has risen to 46.2 percent as of 2023, up from 37.8 percent in 2021. This is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels and quite concerning.
Editor: That’s quite a staggering increase. What about women in the same age group? Have you observed a similar trend?
Johannes Nießen: Yes, there’s been a notable rise for women as well. The percentage of women aged 18 to 25 who engage in binge drinking increased from 19.0 percent to 25.1 percent. This surge raises significant health concerns, especially as binge drinking can lead to various long-term health issues.
Editor: The term “binge drinking” often raises eyebrows. Could you clarify what this means in the context of the study?
Johannes Nießen: Certainly. In our study, “binge drinking” refers to individuals consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in one session at least once in the month prior to the survey. This behavior can have serious repercussions on health, particularly for young adults, whose brains are still developing.
Editor: Speaking of health, what concerns do you have regarding the long-term effects of such drinking patterns on young people?
Johannes Nießen: Binge drinking is particularly dangerous because it can lead to permanent brain damage in adolescents and young adults. The earlier young people start drinking, the higher the risk that they will continue harmful drinking behaviors into adulthood. This can result in dependency issues and various health problems down the line.
Editor: It’s interesting to note from the study that while binge drinking is on the rise, regular drinking seems to be declining among young people. What do you think is driving this juxtaposition?
Johannes Nießen: Yes, that’s correct. The data shows that only 38.8 percent of men and 18.2 percent of women in the 18 to 25 age range reported drinking alcohol at least once a week. This discrepancy may reflect a shift in social attitudes where casual drinking is less appealing to many, but the allure of binge drinking remains, possibly linked to social occasions or peer pressure.
Editor: Given these findings, what measures do you believe should be taken to address these concerning trends in alcohol consumption among youth?
Johannes Nießen: It’s crucial that we ramp up education and awareness efforts about the dangers of binge drinking. We need to equip parents, schools, and communities with resources that focus on healthy drinking habits and the importance of discussing alcohol-related risks early on. Moreover, collaboration with policymakers to create supportive environments for young people can help reshape attitudes towards alcohol consumption.
Editor: Thank you for those insights, Johannes. As we consider these trends, it’s essential to find a way to communicate the risks effectively. Do you have any final thoughts for our readers?
Johannes Nießen: Absolutely. Every drink counts—the mantra “every sip is harmful” rings true, especially for young people. Our goal should be to foster environments where young individuals can socialize without relying on alcohol. By raising awareness and promoting healthier lifestyle choices, we can mitigate these alarming trends.
Editor: Thank you again for joining us, Johannes. Your expertise sheds light on an important public health issue, and we hope to continue this dialogue to support informed choices among our youth.