14 percent of Slovaks drink alcohol every day or several times a week. (source: Unsplash)
Alcohol consumers often drink to reduce stress and anxiety, or to boost self-confidence and ease social interactions. The latter reason applies to 6 percent of alcohol drinkers overall, but among Generation Z – those born between approximately 1997 and 2012 – this figure is nearly three times higher, according to a recent survey on alcohol consumption in Slovakia. Experts attribute this trend to the fact that many in this generation primarily maintain social connections online rather than in person.
“In face-to-face interactions, young people often feel insecure and need encouragement,” said Denisa Lakatošová from the NMS agency.
The agency conducted the survey on a sample of 1,001 respondents between January 9 and 13 in preparation for 'Dry February', a health and wellness challenge where participants voluntarily abstain from drinking alcohol for the entire month of February.
Some find it difficult to give up alcohol for a month
Based on the survey’s results, 14 percent of respondents drink alcohol every day or several times a week. Among them, there are three times as many men as women, and significantly more people aged between 45 and 54. Of those surveyed, 3 percent admitted that they would find it difficult to give up alcohol for a month.
“39 percent of the population drinks alcohol occasionally, i.e. a few times a month or a few times a year,” NMS reported, adding that there are significantly more young people, especially from the Gen Z, in this group.
Under half of people in Slovakia drink alcohol less than a few times a year, or not at all.
“Most such people are found among the oldest generations aged over 65,” the NMS survey revealed.
The occasions during which people most often drink are celebrations, holidays and gatherings with friends.
“Around one in three alcohol drinkers relax at home with a drink. Drinking alcohol during normal daily activities, such as at home or drinking alcohol with lunch, are occasions more typical of middle-aged generations,” the agency said, adding that such drinking is not as common among younger people. Younger drinkers are more likely to drink during special occasions or at social events.
Emotional drinking
According to NMS, attention should be paid in particular to so-called emotional drinking. This is the consumption of alcohol deliberately to influence one's emotional state. Research has shown that approximately 40 percent of alcohol drinkers habitually drink alcohol to stimulate certain emotions, typically mood enhancement, relaxation and unwinding. Around 13 percent of people who consume alcohol find it stress-relieving.
Drinking to support an emotion is more common among regular drinkers. Compared to others, regular drinkers are also significantly more likely to consume alcohol for feelings of anxiety, fear and to cope more easily with sadness, the agency noted.
When it comes to emotional drinking, age does not play a significant role. The exception, however, is young people from Generation Z. Compared to the population average, they are more likely to consume alcohol to boost their self-confidence and improve their social interactions. Approximately 6 percent of consumers drink for such reasons, while for Generation Z it is almost three times as many.
The agency’s survey also looked at the adverse effects of drinking alcohol. Respondents most frequently reported headaches (37 percent). A fifth of respondents reported experiencing vomiting after drinking alcohol. This was more often the case for those who drink alcohol only occasionally. Around a tenth also admitted to problems sleeping, feelings of shame and mood changes.
“Consumers who would find it difficult to give up alcohol for a month were also more likely than others to admit experiencing more serious negative effects from alcohol, such as injuries due to impaired coordination, liver damage, cardiac and neurological diagnoses, or psychological disorders and psychiatric diagnoses including addictions,” the agency concluded.
