This publication was finalised at the time when the COVID‑19 crisis hit and when people’s habits, including drinking habits, were deeply affected. Early evidence suggests that the crisis has triggered risky drinking behaviours in certain population groups. Some have been drinking more, some less; some have done more binge drinking, others have not. The long-term impact of the pandemic on alcohol consumption is uncertain, but the crisis has put the spotlight on some of the problems that can arise from its harmful use. Alcohol is usually part of social life, but harmful use of alcohol is relatively common; for instance, 30% of adults binge drink at least once a month. Harmful patterns of alcohol consumption cause important health, social and economic costs. Alcohol-related diseases and injuries incur a high cost to society. Life expectancy is nearly a year lower than it would be, on average, if people consumed a lower amount of alcohol. An average of 2.4% of health spending goes on dealing with the harm caused by alcohol consumption – and the figure is much higher in some countries. In addition, poor health due to alcohol consumption has detrimental consequences on labour participation and productivity.