Home alone: Patterns and perceptions of solitary home alcohol consumption in an Australian convenience sample.

INTRODUCTION: In contrast with extensive literature exploring sociable alcohol use, few studies focus on drinking alone at home, even though the home is the place where the majority of drinking occurs. METHODS: We draw on survey and interview data gathered in 2018/2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, to identify prevalence and perceptions of solitary home drinking in an Australian convenience sample of heavy and light drinkers (LD). RESULTS: A substantial minority of survey participants identified drinking home alone, with over a quarter of heavy drinkers (27%) reporting that they only drank alone in their own home (compared to 15% of LD). In interviews, solitary home drinking was frequently constructed as signifying personal inadequacy, heavy consumption and harm. However, tensions arose through solitary home drinking bringing pleasures, such as relaxation. It was regarded as more socially acceptable for men than women and lighter home drinking patterns were viewed more positively than heavy drinking. Perceptions of what constitutes solitary home drinking varied, with some suggesting it includes drinking with others present who are not themselves drinking, and others using a more limited definition of consuming alcohol while alone in a house. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: While strong social sanctions against it persist, solitary home drinking can reflect a lack of opportunity to drink with others and also be associated with more harmful regular patterns of alcohol use. Increasing recognition of home drinking provides a new imperative to better understand the complex stigmatisation that frames solitary home drinking and to explore opportunities to limit associated harms.

'They're like little police': Australian parents' perceptions of their children's awareness of drinking during COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: As a result of COVID-19 and associated lockdown restrictions, children may have been exposed to more home-based alcohol consumption and parents' drinking practices. This paper explores Australian parents' perceptions of their children's awareness of drinking and their reflections on the impact of COVID-19 on children's exposure and acquisition of alcohol-related knowledge. METHODS: In-depth interviews were undertaken with 30 parents and carers of children aged four to 12 years from across Australia. Participants described their family lives, the role of alcohol, any changes in alcohol and family dynamics experienced because of COVID-19 and their children's exposure and knowledge of alcohol before and during their experience of COVID-19. Using social learning theory as a guiding framework, transcripts were analysed to identify relevant themes. RESULTS: Pre-COVID-19 children were commonly thought to be aware of behavioural changes owing to alcohol consumption, made associations between people, beverages and activities and recognised boundaries around consumption. COVID-19 was suggested to have impacted the environments in which children were exposed and the types of modelling and practices they were exposed to. It was more common for participants to describe COVID-19 affecting other children's learning and knowledge of alcohol, rather than their own. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Participants were mindful of children's knowledge and the role they played in modelling consumption practices prior to and during the COVID-19 lockdowns. There may be scope to use the insights provided here to support parents in modelling approaches and engaging with children about alcohol in ways that challenge or disrupt its prominence or acceptability.