PREVIEW

Study Shows Pandemic-Driven Rise in Alcohol Consumption Persists Years Later. A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that stress-related increases in drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic continued through 2022. Using data from the National Health Interview Survey, researchers found that drinking rates rose between 2018 and 2020 and did not return to pre-pandemic levels. The study drew on a nationally representative sample of adults 18 and older, with over 20,000 respondents each year, providing a broad view of U.S. drinking trends. Authors attribute the lasting increase in drinking to normalized pandemic-related stress, coupled with reduced access to medical and mental health services. Researchers warn that this ongoing trend highlights a significant public health issue, as alcohol remains a leading cause of illness and death in the U.S. Dr. Divya Ayyala from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital reports a rise in patients with alcohol-related issues, including severe liver disease. According to Ayyala, sustained drinking trends suggest many may lack awareness of where or how to seek help for alcohol-related health concerns.
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