In this region they drink the most

It is not the Burgundian people of Brabant or the champagne-sipping residents of the Gooi who drink the most alcohol in the Netherlands. No, it's the people who live in North Holland. And then specifically in the north of North Holland.

This club is also the least satisfied with their health. This is evident from a survey by the GGD among more than 14,700 residents aged 18 and older. “The fact that excessive and heavy alcohol consumption has increased again after an earlier decrease, from 9.2 percent of the respondents in 2020 to 11.3 percent now, is quite worrying,” says GGD epidemiologist Mandy van den Brink. “Especially in combination with the knowledge that alcohol consumption is higher than at GGDs elsewhere in the country.”

That is why people in North Holland drink more

Why there is more drinking in North Holland may have to do with a reaction to the corona period. When it was possible and allowed again, going out and partying, the damage was made up for. A kind of compensatory behaviour.

Mental well-being

The number of people experiencing stress, feelings of depression and anxiety has also increased in North Holland. We therefore live in uncertain times. Just think of the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising housing costs, et cetera. Sources: welinlichtingkringen.nl and detelegraaf.nl.

But we close on a positive note, because a break can do a lot of good for both body and mind. So to all the people there in the head of North Holland, take an alcohol break of (at least) a month and feel yourself getting stronger both physically and mentally. Spread the word!