Alcohol use and mental health status during the first months of COVID-19 pandemic in Australia

Abstract

Background We aimed to estimate the population prevalence of people with changes in their usual patterns of alcohol use during the early stages of the novel coronavirus pandemic of 2020 (COVID-19) pandemic in Australia; assess the association between mental health status and changes in alcohol use during the pandemic; and examine if the associations were modified by gender and age. Methods This study was an anonymously-completed online self-report survey. Changes in alcohol use were assessed using a single fixed-choice study-specific question. Mental health was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale. Results A total of 13,829 people contributed complete data and were included in the analysis. Overall, about one in five adults reported that they had been drinking more alcohol since the COVID-19 pandemic began than they used to. People were more likely to be drinking alcohol more than they used to if they had more severe symptoms of depression or anxiety. The associations between depressive and anxiety symptoms and increased alcohol use since the COVID-19 pandemic began were consistent between females and males. Limitations Online surveys are less accessible to some groups of people. The data are self-report and not diagnostic. Cross-sectional data can identify associations, not causal relationships. The study was limited to participants from Australia. Conclusions These data indicate that there is a need for public policies focused on alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic and the strategies should include specific consideration of the needs of people with mental health problems.

Increased mood disorder symptoms, perceived stress, and alcohol use among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…This study therefore makes a novel contribution to the literature by demonstrating that across three samples of predominately female college students, those assessed during the initial weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. reported drinking alcohol at higher levels that were, on average, in the risky range for women ( Johnson et al, 2013 ). This is consistent with other studies of general population increases in alcohol use during the pandemic (e.g., Avery et al, 2020 ; Pollard et al, 2020 ; Tran et al, 2020 ) but provides insight about the specific nature and timing of this phenomenon among college students. Increased alcohol use in young adult females is of particular concern given the increased rates of comorbid AUD, anxiety and depressive disorders among women as compared to men ( Kessler 2003 ; Kessler et al, 1997 ; Khan et al, 2013 ).…”

COVID-19 pandemic and alcohol consumption: Impacts and interconnections

“…Therefore, consumption should be moderate in general, and especially during the pandemic [ 24 ]. In contrast, Nielsen IQ reported [ 25 ] a 477% increase in online alcohol sales by end of April 2020. WHO experts say alcohol abuse during social isolation and lockdown is a dangerous way to deal with reality and discourages the use of potentially addictive substances to manage the burden of social isolation [ 26 ] Alcohol consumption also exacerbates psychological imbalance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Alcohol Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey of US Adults

“…A survey of 182 patients with pre-existing alcohol disorders registered in an alcohol clinic in London, England, found that being in lockdown was “a risk factor for increasing alcohol consumption in people with alcohol use disorders and relapse for those who were previously abstinent” [ 28 ]. A study of 13,829 Australians found that one in five adults reported drinking more alcohol during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 [ 29 ]. The current study expands on these previous studies to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on alcohol consumption in the U.S.…”