Observational Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Jun 26, 2024; 12(18): 3410-3416
Published online Jun 26, 2024. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i18.3410
Increased alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study
Rajni Rathore, Shahid Bakhsh Rangrej, Victoria Carvalho
Rajni Rathore, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Saint James School of Medicine, Arnos Vale VC0280, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Shahid Bakhsh Rangrej, Department of Anatomy and Research, Saint James School of Medicine, Arnos Vale VC0280, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Victoria Carvalho, Medical School Basic Sciences, Saint James School of Medicine, Arnos Vale VC0280, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Author contributions: Rathore R designed the study and drafted the initial manuscript; Carvalho V analyzed, interpreted the data and drafted the initial manuscript; Rathore R, Carvalho V and Rangrej SB revised the article critically for important intellectual content.
Institutional review board statement: The aforementioned project has been reviewed and approved by the committee on human Rights Related to Research Involving Human Subjects, based on the Declaration of Helsinki.
Informed consent statement: Informed consent was obtained from the participants while undertaking the online questionnaire. Participants had to answer yes/no questions to confirm their willingness to participate voluntarily.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest compromising the impartiality of the data reported.
Data sharing statement: The data generated and analyzed during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement – checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement – checklist of items.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Victoria Carvalho, BSc, Medical School Basic Sciences, Saint James School of Medicine, Cane Hall Road, Arnos Vale VC0280, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. vrcarvalho@mail.sjsm.org
Received: February 4, 2024
Revised: April 6, 2024
Accepted: May 10, 2024
Published online: June 26, 2024
Processing time: 134 Days and 16.8 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted health, mental well-being, and societal functioning, particularly for individuals with psychiatric conditions and substance use disorders. Recent evidence highlights a concerning increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic, with a study spanning 2015-2020 indicating heightened usage, especially among young and middle-aged adults, for relaxation and tension relief. Additionally, addressing challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, another study underscored persistent barriers to healthcare access, resulting in increased alcohol and tobacco use rates and limited healthcare options. These findings shed light on the unique vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic, emphasizing the need to investigate further its impact on alcohol consumption in diverse non-urban American communities.

AIM

To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol abuse using socioeconomic and medical parameters in diverse non-urban community in America.

METHODS

Based on a cross-sectional analysis of 416 participants the United States in 2021, the study utilized The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria to categorize alcohol consumption levels. Participants aged 21 years and above were surveyed through an online platform due to COVID-19 challenges. The survey was conducted from January 14 to January 31, 2022, recruiting participants via social media and ensuring anonymity. Informed consent was secured, emphasizing the voluntary nature of participation, and participants could only take the survey once.

RESULTS

Out of 416 survey respondents, 396 met eligibility criteria, with 62.9% reporting increased alcohol consumption during COVID-19. Males (68.8%) and ages 21-29 years (34.6%) predominated. Low alcohol consumption decreased by 2.8% (P = 0.237), moderate by 21.4% (P < 0.001), and heavy increased by 14.9% (P < 0.001). Alcohol abuse rose by 6.5% (P = 0.0439), with a 7% increase in self-identified alcohol abusers/alcoholics. Seeking treatment during COVID-19 rose by 6.9%. Easier alcohol access (76.0%) was reported, while 80.7% found it harder to access medical care for alcohol-related issues. These findings highlight the pandemic's impact on alcohol consumption and healthcare access, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions during public health crises.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated alcoholism and abuse, with increased heavy consumption (P < 0.001) and abuse (P = 0.0439). Access to medical programs for addressing alcohol abuse declined, highlighting the need for targeted intervention.

Keywords: Alcoholism, 2019 Novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Mental health issue

Core Tip: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic intensifies alcohol-related challenges in diverse non-urban American communities, impacting health and well-being. A cross-sectional study of 416 participants in 2021 reveals a 62.9% surge in alcohol consumption during the pandemic. Predominantly male (68.8%) and aged 21-29 (34.6%), the cross-section sees decreased low and moderate alcohol consumption but a notable rise in heavy drinking. Alcohol abuse increases by 6.5%, with a 7% surge in those identifying as alcohol abusers/alcoholics. Seeking therapeutic treatment rises by 6.9%. COVID-19 facilitates easier alcohol access (76.0%) but hampers medical care for alcohol-related issues (80.7%). The study underscores the pandemic's profound impact on alcoholism and access to care in non-urban settings.