Rachel Pomazal et al.
During the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we collected survey data on behaviors related to testing, coping, and prevention. In this study, researchers used this data to look at self-reported changes in alcohol consumption among Wisconsin adults(whether they drank more, about the same, or less).
Between May 2020 and August 2021, three survey timepoints captured changes in coping behaviors from 1290 participants in May, 1868 in Jan 2021 and 1827 in Aug 2021. At each timepoint, some participants reported increased drinking (23.2% in May 2020; 18.8% in Jan. 2021; and 16.1% in Aug. 2021). People most likely to report an increase in drinking also tended to be younger adults with higher educational attainment and higher income. Interestingly, adults who reported heavy drinking prior to the pandemic were less likely to report an increase in drinking during the pandemic.
The study identified key risk factors for increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic, such as loneliness, social isolation, job stress, mental health struggles, and remote work. Younger adults and those with children or experiencing employment changes were more likely to drink more.