Abusive consumption of alcoholic beverages: results from COVITEL, the Telephone Survey of Risk and Protective Factors for Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases, 2022 and 2023

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of abusive alcohol consumption, drinking and driving habits and reports of alcohol consumption comparing the first quarters of 2022 and 2023. Methods: A cross-sectional study, with data from the Telephone Survey of Risk Factors for Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases, 2022 and 2023. The study sample included 9 thousand people each year collected using random digit dialing and dialing methods direct distance (DDD) on mobile and fixed telephone lines. Self-reported variables for alcohol abuse, drinking and driving habits, and alcohol consumption were analyzed. Results: There was no significant change in the prevalence of alcohol abuse in the first quarters of 2022 and 2023. However, differences were observed in drinking and driving behavior, with a reduction in prevalence among those aged 18 to 24 years (9.6% (95%CI 4.4–19.8) to 2.2% (95%CI 1.4–3.6) and increased behavior among those with 12 or more years of education (from 6.9% (95%CI 5.5–8.7) to 11.9% (95%CI 10,3–13,6). Male individuals had a higher prevalence of alcohol consumption, alcohol abuse and drinking and driving habits in all analyzed breakdowns. Conclusion: The Brazilian policy to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages and the Sustainable Development Goals must be treated as a priority in Brazil.