From Cara Murez
HealthDay reporter
TUESDAY, December 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) – The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated life stresses are exacerbating excessive alcohol consumption, according to a new study.
The researchers conducted an online survey of nearly 2,000 adults in the United States from mid-March to mid-April 2020 that coincided with a pandemic-induced stay-at-home arrangement (“lockdown”). Based on the responses, each participant was rated as a binge drinker, non-binge drinker, or non-drinker.
About 32% of respondents said they had binge drinking during the pandemic, and binge drinking had increased their alcohol consumption during that time compared to before the lockdown. Non-binge drinkers consumed the same amount of alcohol as before, the results showed.
The likelihood of heavy drinking during excessive alcoholism – men who drank five or more drinks and women who drank four or more drinks in two hours – increased 19% per week for orders that stay at home.
The overall likelihood of increased alcohol consumption during excessive alcoholism was more than twice as high as that of people who did not drink excessively: 60% versus 28%. This was especially true for people with depression or a medical history, the researchers found.
“Being at home for long periods of time is a life stressor that affects drinking, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated that stress,” said researcher Sitara Weerakoon, a University of Texas graduate student.
“Future research should consider the potential for depressive symptoms acting as moderators [a factor that changes the impact] in the relationship between time spent under a protective mandate and excessive drinking, “she added.
The study was published online December 7th in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
“Additional research is needed to develop the best treatment for people with substance use disorders who may be more prone to adverse health effects,” Weerakoon said in a press release in a magazine.
The researchers found that binge drinking drank an average of four drinks per occasion during the pandemic. They drank a maximum of seven drinks on one occasion. Non-binge drinkers drank an average of two drinks at most.
continuation
Investigators analyzed a variety of factors and found that respondents were locked out for an average of four weeks and were at home 21 hours a day. About 72% did not leave home for work.
One of the limitations of the study is that the survey data was self-reported and the excessive alcohol question did not indicate the time during which the alcohol was consumed. The majority of respondents were high earners, which is a factor linked to dangerous alcohol use.
In order to avoid permanent health consequences, the researchers called for new intervention and prevention strategies for people in isolation who are at risk for dangerous drinking.
More information
The US Drug Abuse and Mental Health Authority has a national hotline.
Source: American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, press release, December 7, 2020
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