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.