Study shows that Brazilians are drinking more often

The number of people who consume alcohol once a week or more increased 20% in the last six years. The growth was highest among women.

By Karina Toledo

Agência FAPESP – Half of Brazilians are teetotalers. Among the half that consumes alcohol, however, the number of people who drink on a frequent basis (once a week or more) has increased 20% in the last six years. Considering solely the female population, which is more susceptible to the harmful effects of alcohol, the increase was 34.5%.

These data are from the 2nd National Alcohol and Drug Survey (Lenad), organized by Dr. Ronaldo Laranjeira, coordinator of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo’s Alcohol and Drugs Study Unit.

The study received FAPESP funding under the National Institute of Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs (INPAD). One of the National Institutes of Science and Technology operating São Paulo, Inpad, is coordinated by Laranjeira.

The interviews were conducted in 2012 by Ipsos Public Affairs, and the data were disseminated on April 10. The study included interviews with 4,607 people over the age of 14 in 149 municipalities from all Brazilian regions. The participants responded to an 800-question survey that had the objective of evaluating the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs in addition to the factors associated with the problematic use of these substances, such as depression and violence.

The first edition of the FAPESP-funded study, conducted in 2006 with 3,007 respondents, surprised health specialists from all over Brazil, including Laranjeira, because it revealed a high abstinence rate in the country: 48%. “For more than 30 years, I believed that the abstinence rate was similar to Europe’s, at approximately 12%,” explained the researcher.

The good news is that the most recent numbers of teetotalers remained practically stable – with a slight increase to 52%. However, among drinkers, those who adopted an alcohol consumption level considered harmful, known as binge drinkers – four drinks for women and five for men in a single occasion – increased from 45% to 59%. Again, the change is even greater when the female population of drinkers is considered alone, rising from 36% to 49%.

“The increase in consumption among women, especially binge drinking, will have major consequences from the public health standpoint in the medium term. It will increase the cancer rates among Brazilian women,” estimated Laranjeira.

According to the doctor, the evidence shows that consumption of two or more shots of alcohol per day increases the risk of breast cancer by 20%. It is estimated that alcohol is the causative agent of 30% of cancer cases in the general population.

For Laranjeira, however, one of the most worrisome findings is that 20% of adult drinkers consume 56% of all alcohol sold in the country. The majority of this group is composed of young men under 30 years of age.

“The Brazilian pattern is to drink outside of the house, in the streets and bars and excessively. Young people drink to get drunk, and this increases the health risks and involvement with violence, drugs and other risk behaviors. The idea that the alcohol industry attempts to convey is that, in Brazil, everybody drinks a little, which is not true,” affirmed Laranjeira.

The 2nd Lenad also showed that among drinkers, 16% consumed harmful quantities of alcohol whenever they drink and that 2 in 10 people show signs of alcohol abuse or dependence, which corresponds to nearly 11.7 million Brazilians.

Also among drinkers, 32% affirmed that they are unable to stop drinking once they begin to drink, 10% said that someone has been hurt because of their alcohol consumption, 8% admitted that drinking had a prejudicial effect on their work, and 9% admitted losses in their family or relationship.

Almost a third of young men who abuse alcohol have been involved in a physical fight in the last year. The study also showed a higher incidence of depression among those that abuse alcohol: 41%. The average depression rate among the general population is 25%. “We must disassociate the image of alcohol with happiness. Anyone who drinks and drinks a lot has a greater chance of being depressed than happy,” stressed Laranjeira.

Market regulation

In Laranjeira’s assessment, the economic growth of Brazil in the last 10 years and the consequent increase in per capita income is one of the reasons for the increase in the consumption of alcohol – which makes the market more promising for the beverage industry.

“Brazilians in general have more buying power. Those who did not spend money on alcohol continue not spending. However, those who drink are spending more on beverages, especially women,” commented the professor.

Another factor behind the change in consumption patterns, according to Laranjeira, is the lack of market regulation or effective inspection. “As there are no rules made by the government or society, the alcohol industry runs the show,” he affirmed.

In addition to increasing the prices of alcoholic beverages, Laranjeira defends the reduction of points of sale, which reach 1 million nationwide according to Ambev data.

“There is a point of sale for every 200 inhabitants in Brazil, and the majority of these sell to anybody, including minors. São Paulo is the only state with rigorous laws to inhibit the sale of alcoholic beverages to adolescents, but enforcement must be improved,” he stated.

Laranjeira also defends the prohibition of the advertisement of alcoholic beverages in the media, which he believes is largely focused on the youth population.

“Another important measure is regulating the schedule at sales points. When Diadema prohibited bars from operating after 11 p.m., homicides dropped more than 90% in the municipality. This is an example of a policy that makes a difference. Educational campaigns in schools, for example, help a lot,” he opined.

Dry laws

One bit of good news revealed by the new legislation related to blood alcohol limits for drivers – commonly known as the “Dry law” – has been effective. There has been a generalized 21% drop in the number of individuals who drove after consuming alcohol in the last year.

“The population is responding to the legislation, but the number of people who drink and get behind the wheel is still high, at approximately 21%. In developed countries, it is 1% or 2%. Maintenance of this policy alone coupled with increased enforcement will prompt the numbers to drop further,” said Laranjeira.