Report: Up to 900,000 Czechs Drink Excessively Every Day

A new report on alcohol consumption in Czechia reveals concerning figures, with up to 1 in 10 people over the age of 15 consuming excessive amounts of alcohol daily.

The annual study estimates that nearly 900,000 individuals regularly drink multiple pints of beer, glasses of wine, or spirits each day.

The findings were presented by Pavla Chomynová, head of the National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addictions.

The report also highlights worrying trends among young people: nearly a quarter of 15-year-olds, 5% of 13-year-olds, and even a small percentage of 11-year-olds have been intoxicated repeatedly.

Among teenagers aged 15 to 19, 60% reported drinking in the past month, while 4% admitted to consuming alcohol daily or nearly every day. Gender differences in drinking habits are also narrowing, with studies suggesting that girls are catching up to boys in alcohol consumption.

The health consequences are severe, with alcohol-related causes accounting for 6,000 to 7,000 deaths annually. Liver disease and alcohol poisoning alone are responsible for 2,000 to 3,000 fatalities each year.

Additionally, hospitals admit between 13,000 and 14,000 patients annually for conditions directly caused by alcohol use. The financial burden on the economy is estimated at CZK 80 billion per year.

The report also sheds light on substance use beyond alcohol. Around 275,000 Czechs reportedly mix alcohol with other psychoactive substances.

Moreover, between 1.1 and 1.4 million people—approximately 12-15% of the adult population—use sedatives, hypnotics, or opioid painkillers for extended periods, often without medical approval.

Women are twice as likely as men to use these medications, with rates increasing with age. Many obtain such drugs through prescriptions, but others turn to family, friends, the internet, or the black market.

Experts point to Czech society’s generally lenient attitude towards alcohol as a key factor in these high numbers. According to the report, three in ten respondents consider regular drinking socially acceptable, while widespread availability further fuels consumption.

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