Rebound of Severe Alcoholic Intoxications in Adolescents and Young Adults After COVID-19 Lockdown

Abstract

Purpose The coronavirus lockdown in Italy ended, but the postlockdown phase may be even more challenging than the outbreak itself if the impact on mental health is considered. To date, little evidence is available about the effect of lockdown release in terms of adolescent health from the perspective of an emergency department (ED). Methods We reviewed data on ED arrivals of adolescents and young adults (aged 13–24 years) in the weeks immediately before and after the Italian lockdown release in 2020, and in the same periods in 2019, with a focus on cases of severe alcohol abuse, psychomotor agitation, and other mental issues. Results The relative frequency of severe alcohol intoxications increased from .88% during the last part of the lockdown to 11.3% after lockdown release. When comparing these data with the same period in 2019, a highly significant difference emerged, with severe alcohol intoxications accounting for 11.31% of ED visits versus 2.96%, respectively. The relative frequency of ED arrivals related to psychomotor agitation or other mental health issues was not significantly increased after lockdown release. Conclusions This report suggests that emergency services should be prepared for a possible peak of alcohol intoxication-related emergencies in adolescents and young adults. The connection between alcohol abuse and mental health should not be overlooked.

Learning from previous lockdown measures and minimising harmful biopsychosocial consequences as they end: A systematic review

“…13 studies reported short-term consequences of lockdown with psychiatric symptoms, sleep disturbance, economic aftereffects, behavioural changes, and social repercussions described ( Figure 2 ) [ 15 , 19 - 21 , 28 - 30 , 35 , 44 , 50 - 52 , 55 ].…”

“…Psychiatric symptoms, stress, stigmatisation, sleep disturbance, and increased emergency department attendances with alcohol intoxication were identified following COVID-19 lockdown measures [ 19 - 21 , 29 , 30 , 50 - 52 , 55 ].…”

Increases in Risky Drinking During the COVID-19 Pandemic Assessed via Longitudinal Cohort Design: Associations With Racial Tensions, Financial Distress, Psychological Distress and Virus-Related Fears

“…Previous reports have linked exposure to catastrophic societal events and natural disasters to increased alcohol use ( Morita et al., 2015 ; Locke et al., 2020 ). Indeed, many reports have now demonstrated that alcohol use has increased significantly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic ( Ahmed et al., 2020 ; Clay et al., 2020 ; Dumas et al., 2020 ; Grigoletto et al., 2020 ; Kim et al., 2020 ; Lechner et al., 2020 ; Neill et al., 2020 ; Pollard et al., 2020 ; Stanton et al., 2020 ; Tran et al., 2020 ; Vanderbruggen et al., 2020 ; Wardell et al., 2020 ).…”

“…A study examining changes in wastewater reported ‘decreased’ alcohol consumption after self-isolation measures were enforced in the district ( Bade et al., 2020 ), whereas two other longitudinal studies reported results in-line with ‘increases’ observed in cross-section. A national cohort study in the USA reported increases in alcohol consumption from assessments completed in April 2019 to April 2020 ( Pollard et al., 2020 ), and a second study reported increased emergency room visits due to alcohol intoxication documented via chart review prior to and during the pandemic ( Grigoletto et al., 2020 ). In addition to examining changes in alcohol use several studies have examined factors associated with those changes including alcohol-related coping motives ( Wardell et al., 2020 ), inhibitory control ( Clay et al., 2020 ), symptoms of anxiety or depression ( Dumas et al., 2020 ; Lechner et al., 2020 ; Neill et al., 2020 ; Rodriguez et al., 2020 ; Stanton et al., 2020 ; Tran et al., 2020 ; Wardell et al., 2020 ), social connectedness ( Lechner et al., 2020 ; Wardell et al., 2020 ) and loss of job or income ( Neill et al., 2020 ; Vanderbruggen et al., 2020 ; Wardell et al., 2020 ), all documented in cross-sectional analysis.…”

“…In addition to examining changes in alcohol use several studies have examined factors associated with those changes including alcohol-related coping motives ( Wardell et al., 2020 ), inhibitory control ( Clay et al., 2020 ), symptoms of anxiety or depression ( Dumas et al., 2020 ; Lechner et al., 2020 ; Neill et al., 2020 ; Rodriguez et al., 2020 ; Stanton et al., 2020 ; Tran et al., 2020 ; Wardell et al., 2020 ), social connectedness ( Lechner et al., 2020 ; Wardell et al., 2020 ) and loss of job or income ( Neill et al., 2020 ; Vanderbruggen et al., 2020 ; Wardell et al., 2020 ), all documented in cross-sectional analysis. While at least two studies demonstrate longitudinally assessed increases in alcohol use following the COVID-19 pandemic, these studies did not examine associations between increased drinking and psychological or behavioral factors ( Grigoletto et al., 2020 ; Pollard et al., 2020 ).…”