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?:abstract
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A study published in JAMA Network Open last month found that the frequency of alcohol consumption increased 14% overall during the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 compared to the same period a year earlier (baseline); this was an increase of 17% over the 2019 baseline for women, an increase of 19% for adults age 30 to 59 years and an increase of 10% for non‐Hispanic whites over the 2019 baseline. On average, alcohol was consumed one day more per month by three of four adults. Heavy drinking also went up for women. In addition, there was a 39% increase in the Short Inventory of Problems scale for women, which indicates increased alcohol‐related problems independent of consumption for almost one in 10 women. “These data provide evidence of changes in alcohol use and associated consequences during the COVID‐19 pandemic,” the researchers wrote. “In addition to a range of negative physical health associations, excessive alcohol use may lead to or worsen existing mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, which may themselves be increasing during COVID‐19.” The study, “Changes in Adult Alcohol Use and Consequences During the COVID‐19 Pandemic in the U.S.,” is by Michael S. Pollard, Ph.D., of the RAND Corporation and colleagues.
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