ONE in five people in the city are drinking more alcohol since the start of lockdown, worrying figures show.

National charity Drinkaware says people in Brighton are drinking more as a result of the pandemic.

The knock-on impact is that people are hitting the bottle on more days than usual, drinking alone when they would not ordinarily do so, having their first tipple earlier in the day, and have felt the need to have alcohol to cope with their day.

It follows studies which show tens of thousands of people in Brighton and Hove have been put on furlough or been told to work from home.

Drinkaware wants the Government to do more to help, before these could become entrenched habits.

The charity said 22 per cent of adults in Brighton have been drinking more alcohol since the start of lockdown.

Chief executive Elaine Hindal said: “Our research clearly shows certain groups of people are displaying worrying new drinking patterns during this very challenging time.

“We’re concerned that, for a significant number of people, lockdown levels of drinking may become ingrained and hard to break.

“Drinking more can lead to an increased tolerance for alcohol, and this can lead to alcohol dependence. It is crucial that alcohol is considered as a factor when the Government is looking at tackling obesity.”

Ms Hindal said with a looming economic crisis facing many of us, and with an uncertain future for many youngsters over their exam results, the pressures to drink alcohol as away of coping could rise.

She said: “Alcohol consumption should also be looked at as a factor within mental health strategies, including for those furloughed and younger people who may feel uncertain about the future, and for parents who are juggling work and family life. The important thing to remember is that, if you or someone you care about is drinking more than usual at the moment, it’s not too late to cut down or find support to help you.

“Understanding what triggers you to drink more can help you avoid reaching for alcohol.

“Sticking to the low risk drinking guidelines of no more than 14 units a week – that’s about six glasses of wine or six pints of beer – is a good place to start to help you keep track.”

Overall, more than a fifth of adults in the UK – about 11.7 million – are drinking more since the lockdown began.

The study, conducted by Opinium on behalf of Drinkaware, surveyed more than 2,000 people in the UK and is the latest in the charity’s research series into drinking behaviour.

It also highlights how some people in Brighton who drink alcohol are displaying worrying drinking habits that could lead to an increased tolerance for alcohol, and in some cases, possible alcohol dependence. This includes 20 per cent saying they are drinking on more days than usual, 11 per cent drinking alone when they wouldn’t usually, ten per cent having the first alcoholic drink earlier in the day and six per cent feeling the need to drink to cope with the day.

If you have concerns visit drinkaware.co.uk.