Survey links young-adult alcohol consumption to stress
Source: in-cyprus.com
A survey by the “Prometheus” Association of Liver Patients and Friends of Cyprus reveals concerning trends in alcohol consumption among young adults in the country.
The survey, titled “My Name is Alcohol”, which was conducted with the support of European Liver Patients’ Association.
It shows that almost half (48%) of the 281 respondents aged 18-40 reported consuming alcohol daily, every other day, or weekly. It also found a high prevalence of underage drinking, with 18.83% trying alcohol for the first time before the age of 12.
The Cyprus Paediatric Company expressed concern that the survey results likely underestimate the true extent of underage drinking in Cypriot society.
Self-Medication and Control:
A significant number of respondents (79.71%) reported using alcohol for self-medication purposes, primarily to cope with stress and depression. Despite this, a high percentage (86%) expressed confidence in their ability to control their drinking.
Experts cautioned that this self-assessment might not be entirely reliable.
Social Consumption and Enforcement:
The survey found a strong link between alcohol consumption and social gatherings, with nearly 80% of respondents stating they drink primarily in social settings.
This finding raises concerns about drunk driving, the report noted.
Alarmingly, almost 70% of participants said they were never asked to show identification when purchasing alcohol.
This suggests lax enforcement of laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors.
Recommendations
The survey calls for stricter enforcement of existing legislation and collaboration with patient advocacy groups to address the issue.
It emphasises the importance of preventative measures, including public awareness campaigns targeting young people, to discourage early exposure to alcohol.
The report concludes by advocating for improved treatment programs and a focus on harm reduction strategies.
Methodology
The survey included 281 participants aged 18-40, with the majority being Greek Cypriots (261). The educational breakdown showed a high proportion of participants holding university degrees (248) with some holding postgraduate qualifications (26 Masters, 6 PhDs).
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