Overall, France is drinking less, but it’s still a lot. This is the meaning of a study by Public Health France published on Tuesday January 23 in the Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin (BEH). Alcohol consumption has declined over the past three decades, but remains constant ” very high “, according to the health department. Between 2000 and 2021, the proportion of weekly drinkers among those aged 18 to 75 fell from 62.6% to 39% and the proportion of daily drinkers fell from 21.5% to 8%.

Consumption patterns vary by area, generation and gender. In 2021, Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine were the two regions with the highest number of daily drinkers, while Overseas and Ile-de-France were at the bottom of the table. With increasing age, the intensity of alcohol consumption decreases and the frequency increases: In 2021, 18 to 24 year olds consumed alcohol on average 64 days a year, more than three drinks each; Those aged 65 to 75 drank 123 days a year, drinking just over a glass and a half each time.

From the researchers’ point of view, the most remarkable development in recent years concerns women. They generally consume less than men, but the practice of heavy occasional drinking (IPA), i.e. drinking at least six drinks, has increased among those over 35. From 2005 to 2021, the rate of women reporting an API monthly increased from 6.1% to 8.6%, and the rate of women reporting an API weekly increased from 1% to 1.8%.

To explain it, “The increase in the proportion of women participating in the labor market, the decrease in the age of first marriage or the age of first child are mentioned by some researchers.”the authors write, adding that women who work in masculine environments may want this “Comply with certain informal codes” or use alcohol as a stress reliever. In addition, the industry is implementing a “aggressive marketing” to reach them.

“Women are more at risk”

“At low doses, the risk associated with alcohol is equal for men and women, but at heavy alcohol consumption, women are more vulnerable.”highlights Bernard Basset, president of the Association Addictions France, who adds that the practices of occasional heavy alcohol consumption “Have effects on the brain and should be closely monitored.” Mickael Naassila, president of the French Society of Alcoholology, calls for preventive measures “Emphasize the distinctiveness of women in relation to men” on the subject of alcohol.

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