Photo/Illutration “Chuhai” alcoholic beverages are lined up at a store on June 6. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The rate of people hospitalized for alcohol-related liver diseases or pancreatitis from April to June 2020 was about 1.2 times higher than before the novel coronavirus pandemic, a survey showed.

The rate for women hospitalized with such ailments in June 2020 was about double the figure for the same month of 2019, according to the survey conducted by a Kyoto University research group.

Restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 shortened or suspended the business operating hours of bars and restaurants. But home consumption of alcohol has increased during the pandemic.

According to health experts, people who drink alone at home may find it difficult to control the amount of their alcohol intake. And people working from home may be more tempted to drink during the daytime.

Students could become less wary of acute alcohol poisoning if they are not drinking with their friends or fellow club members at organized parties, the experts said.

The World Health Organization has issued warnings that pandemic-related stress may increase alcohol consumption.

Alcohol addiction specialists said more people may be drinking to excess to cope with an uncertain economic outlook.

Many videos showing people chugging alcoholic beverages to the chants of those around them have recently been uploaded on social media sites.

“People who are suspected alcoholics will likely become addicts by drinking more during the pandemic,” a specialist on alcohol addiction said.

The specialist urged people to see a doctor as soon as possible if they are worried about their alcohol intake.

The health ministry said more than 3 million people in Japan are alcoholics or suspected alcoholics.

Related News