The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Severity of Alcohol Use Disorder: Significance of Dual Disorders

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been assumed to impact patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The severity of the influence that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the symptoms of AUD has not yet been revealed in detail. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients diagnosed with AUD. This retrospective study was conducted between 11 March 2017 and 31 May 2022 in Hungary. Medical charts (N = 1082) of inpatients with the diagnosis of AUD were reviewed. Based on the dates of admissions, two groups were created: the ‘before COVID-19’ group (11 March 2017–10 March 2020) and the ‘during COVID-19’ group (11 March 2020–31 May 2022). Chi-square tests, independent-sample t-tests, and multinomial logistic regressions were performed. The occurrence of delirium tremens (DT) and psychiatric co-morbidities was significantly higher during the pandemic. Our results showed that the occurrence of DT and psychiatric co-morbidities significantly increased during the pandemic. Our results revealed that the pandemic enhanced the severe consequences of AUD, and the development of AUD might have increased in frequency among individuals previously diagnosed with mental illness during the pandemic. These findings indicate the significance of dual disorders in the post-pandemic period.

Measuring the Intensity of Stress Experienced and Its Impact on Life in Patients with Diagnosed Alcohol Use Disorder

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an overall increased sense of stress in society and reduced life satisfaction. The comparisons regarding the level of perceived stress and satisfaction with life revealed that the level of stress in the current sample was close to the level acquired in other studies involving alcohol-dependent patients [7,26,27]. However, the level of life satisfaction can be higher than that observed in other studies.…”

“…Research regarding the pandemic period indicated two possible scenarios for alcohol consumption: a decrease in alcohol consumption resulting from limited availability or an increased alcohol consumption due to mental anxiety. Some studies suggested a negative impact of COVID-19 on the development of anxiety or mood disorders [7]. Mental health disorders had the greatest potential impact on the increased use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol.…”

Characterization of alcohol‐related seizures in withdrawal syndrome

“… 1 , 3 , 6 , 14 Previous reports also indicate that alcohol consumption, AUD severity, and dual disorder frequency changed during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and these changes may lead to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. 15 , 16 , 17 Furthermore, the therapeutic guidelines on SAWS are contradictory regarding benzodiazepine (BZD) and non‐BZD medications such as antiepileptic medications. 1 , 2 , 5 , 18 Therefore, the examination of SAWS, especially withdrawal seizures has a significant importance.…”