Alcohol use in self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey in Brazil

Abstract

Objectives: To assess alcohol use and perceived change in alcohol consumption (before and during the pandemic) in Brazilians during the COVID-19 pandemic, its correlates, and association with depressive, anxiety and co-occurring depressive and anxiety symptoms (D&A).Methods: This is a cross-sectional study comprising 992 individuals in self-isolation.A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess whether participants were drinking during self-isolation and whether they changed their drinking behavior (drinking less, more, or no change) from before to during the pandemic. D&A symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI and BAI).Results: A total of 68.5% of participants reported alcohol consumption during the pandemic, and 22.7% of these reported increased alcohol use. Smoking was positively associated with alcohol consumption during the pandemic. Alcohol consumption was associated with anxiety (OR=1.40, 95% CI 1.06 -1.85, p<0.01) and D&A (OR=1.38, 95% CI 1.02 -1.87, p=0.033) symptoms.Conclusions: Drinking during self-isolation was prevalent and associated with risk factors for alcohol use disorders. The long-term effects of high drinking rates and increased consumption should be proactively monitored and assessed.

A novel mouse home cage lickometer system reveals sex- and housing-based influences on alcohol drinking

“…Furthermore, alcohol sales and consumption by all metrics decreased in the US during periods with a high incidence of COVID-19 (Moskatel & Slusky, 2023). Studies in Brazil (Moura et al, 2023), Germany (Deeken et al, 2022), Australia (Bade et al, 2021), and others (Acuf et al, 2022), similarly found that alcohol consumption was in general significantly lower during lockdown periods. However, increased alcohol consumption was significantly associated with both particularly high and particularly low degrees of subjective loneliness (Bragard et al, 2022;Haucke et al, 2024).…”

Causas Múltiplas De Óbitos Relacionados Às Lesões Autoprovocadas E a Pandemia De Covid-19

“…Avaliando as mudanças predispostas pela pandemia quanto ao uso de álcool, Moura et al (2021), em um estudo transversal brasileiro, analisaram o consumo alcoólico durante o período de isolamento por COVID-19 (MOURA et al, 2021). Através de um questionário autoreportado, o consumo de álcool de 992 participantes foi investigado (MOURA et al, 2021). Dos 68,5% que relataram consumo alcoólico, 22,7% denotaram aumento no consumo e 32,5% redução (MOURA et al, 2021).…”

“…Através de um questionário autoreportado, o consumo de álcool de 992 participantes foi investigado (MOURA et al, 2021). Dos 68,5% que relataram consumo alcoólico, 22,7% denotaram aumento no consumo e 32,5% redução (MOURA et al, 2021). Todavia, houve associação entre ansiedade e depressão e maior ingestão de álcool (MOURA et al, 2021).…”

“…Dos 68,5% que relataram consumo alcoólico, 22,7% denotaram aumento no consumo e 32,5% redução (MOURA et al, 2021). Todavia, houve associação entre ansiedade e depressão e maior ingestão de álcool (MOURA et al, 2021).…”