Predictors of Short-Term Alcohol Drinking in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorders during the Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prospective Study in Three Addiction Outpatient Centers in France

Abstract

The present study investigates the extent to which the COVID-19 crisis disturbed different life domains of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and assessed the associations between these disturbances and the risk of short-term alcohol drinking. All patients aged >18 years receiving outpatient care at three addiction treatment facilities from 15 April to 30 May 2021 were eligible for inclusion in the study. A trained resident assessed the extent to which the COVID-19 crisis affected their professional activity, social life, access to healthcare, and drinking problems, together with craving, drinking behavior, psychological distress, physical/mental health, and sociodemographic and clinical data. The same investigator assessed alcohol drinking 1 month after their visit. Nearly half of the patients felt that the COVID-19 crisis had a serious impact on their drinking problems, despite minor disruptions in access to healthcare. These disturbances significantly influenced short-term alcohol drinking in univariate analysis, together with psychological distress, craving, and drinking problems. Only craving predicted alcohol drinking in multivariate analyses, suggesting that psychological and drinking problems, as well as COVID-19 disturbances, increased the risk of alcohol drinking by increasing craving. Craving should be systematically investigated in patients with AUD to establish adapted social support systems during pandemics.

Abstinence duration and psychopathology among addiction outpatients during 18 months of COVID-19

“…As in other studies, our logistic regression analysis results, confirmed the expected associations between the increase in craving during follow-up and earlier relapse ( 46 ). Craving has been identified as a mediating factor between psychological problems and increased alcohol use in AUD patients during the pandemic ( 20 ). The treatment of craving is essential for a comprehensive approach to addictions.…”

“…Similarly, another study conducted on the general population, reported that during the first year of the pandemic alcohol consumption increased among subjects who reported more psychological distress ( 19 ). Adding on, craving has been identified as a mediator between psychological problems and increased alcohol use in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) during the pandemic ( 20 ). However, one study among AUD patients did not find an association between lockdown measures and alcohol consumption ( 21 ).…”

Impact of COVID‐19 and restricted self‐help group attendance on drinking behavior among people with alcohol use disorder: Results of a nationwide cross‐sectional survey

“…In addition, the findings of previous studies targeting patients with SUD, including AUD, have confirmed a high comorbidity of depression, anxiety, and suicide risk during the COVID‐19 pandemic (Blithikioti et al, 2021; de Moura et al, 2022). Loneliness and craving were associated with an increased risk of relapse among those patients (Bonny‐Noach & Gold, 2021; Constant et al, 2022). These findings suggest that the condition of people seeking recovery from AUD may have worsened during COVID‐19.…”

Addiction in the time of COVID-19: Longitudinal course of substance use, psychological distress, and loneliness among a transnational Tyrolean sample with substance use disorders

“…Communications by professionals as well as qualitative research has pointed to challenges in the treatment of SUD, particularly in regard to increased psychosocial stress and reduced access to treatment services ( 55 – 59 ). While some research has found an ambiguous development of consumption patterns in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) ( 60 – 62 ) and SUD ( 63 ), a number of publications related an increased risk of relapse in patients with AUD ( 64 – 67 ) and an increase of addictive behavior in other SUD ( 68 , 69 ). This has been linked to increased psychosocial strain due to COVID-related stressors ( 62 , 64 , 67 – 69 ) with loneliness in particular having been identified as a factor associated with higher craving ( 68 ).…”

“…While some research has found an ambiguous development of consumption patterns in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) ( 60 – 62 ) and SUD ( 63 ), a number of publications related an increased risk of relapse in patients with AUD ( 64 – 67 ) and an increase of addictive behavior in other SUD ( 68 , 69 ). This has been linked to increased psychosocial strain due to COVID-related stressors ( 62 , 64 , 67 – 69 ) with loneliness in particular having been identified as a factor associated with higher craving ( 68 ). To expand these findings, we undertook a longitudinal study on psychological distress and its relationship with loneliness and social support in individuals suffering from SUD in comparison to a community reference group without self-reported mental health disorders.…”