Americans drinking more during pandemic; relief is temporary

The coronavirus pandemic has Americans drinking more.

Sales of at-home alcohol, according to a Nielsen report from June, have spiked nearly 27% since the start of the pandemic. And though that doesn’t take into account shutdowns of bars and restaurants nationwide, it suggests people are turning to alcohol to cope with a life-altering global crisis.

Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, assistant secretary at Department of Health and Human Services and head of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, told USA TODAY in May that more people reportedly sought treatment for alcohol misuse in regions where the coronavirus has hit hardest.

A drink or two to take the edge off may seem like a harmless idea. And given historic unemployment rates, a pandemic that shows no signs of slowing down and the ceaseless specter of racial inequality, a couple of more bottles of beer or glasses of wine might sound appealing.

After all, Dr. George F. Koob, the director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, told USA TODAY that past research has found people are more likely to drink – and drink more – “during times of uncertainty and duress.”

But he warns against turning to the liquor cabinet for comfort.

“Any increases in alcohol use during the pandemic could be a cause for concern, particularly if the increases stem from an attempt to cope with negative emotions associated with the crisis,” he told USA

TODAY.

Excessive alcohol is linked to liver damage and some forms of cancer, including liver, breast and colon cancer. According to the World Health Organization, the effects of alcohol consumption contribute to more than 3 million deaths worldwide.

People with a history of substance use disorders, anxiety or depression should be especially wary of turning to alcohol to handle stress, says Dr. Victor Karpyak, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism guidelines advise limiting consumption to no more than three to four drinks per “occasion.” Men should have no more than 14 standard drinks a week; women should have no more than seven.

U.S. dietary guidelines are a bit more stringent: They recommend no more than one drink a day for women and two for men.

Keep in mind that a standard “drink” serving is a 12-ounce beer or hard seltzer with 5% alcohol, a 5-ounce glass of wine with 12% alcohol, or a 1.5-ounce shot of 40% alcohol, or 80 proof, liquor.

Of course, pregnant women, people taking medications and those recovering from alcohol use disorder should not be drinking alcohol.

“It can be very tempting to reach for alcohol during times of high stress,” Koob said. “Alcohol temporarily dampens anxiety and other uncomfortable emotions.”

That said, he warns, the relief is only temporary – and may end up worsening after the buzz has faded. “Using alcohol to dampen emotional misery tends to make people more miserable and motivates them to drink again,” he said, “so it is not a safe or lasting solution for the emotional strain many people are experiencing during the pandemic.”

And, in fact, using alcohol to cope may lead to substance use disorders, Karpyak says, especially if family and friends begin to voice their concern about your well-being.

These are especially hard times, particularly for people in recovery for alcohol misuse. “Stress is a major trigger for relapse,” Koob said.

Turning to telehealth or online support groups are key for individuals in recovery. The NIAAA has a list of resources for professional alcohol treatment.

The World Health Organization has stated that drinking too much alcohol may weaken the body’s immune response to COVID-19.

COVID-19 may progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which Koob notes may be exacerbated by alcohol misuse.

The key, both Karpyak and Koob say, is to ensure that alcohol consumption doesn’t become a salve for discomfort or anxiety.

Turning to other, healthier methods of coping are vital. Proper sleep, nutrition and exercise are key to maintaining good physical and mental health. Reaching out to friends and loved ones, going out for walks and playing games, among plenty of well-documented coping strategies, are all preferable to excess drinking or substance use.

Karpyak also suggests maintaining a semblance of your normal routine, and doing as much as you can to move forward with pre-COVID-19 life plans.