Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on alcohol use disorders and complications

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Abstract

Purpose of review

To understand the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on persons with alcohol use disorders.

Recent findings

From a total of 455 titles on COVID-19 and alcohol, 227 abstracts were screened, and 95 articles were reviewed (on November 25 ^th, 2020). The immediate effect was an increase in alcohol related emergencies including alcohol withdrawal, related suicides, and methanol toxicity. Although there are mixed findings with respect to changes in the quantity of drinking, there are reports of binge/heavy drinking during the lockdown as well as relapse postlockdown. Psychological, social, biological, economic and policy-related factors appear to influence the changes in drinking. Although preliminary data suggest no change in alcohol use among persons with comorbid mental illness, findings in this population are presently limited. Among patients with alcohol related liver disease, outcomes appear worse and caution is warranted with the use of medications. Alcohol also appears to increases the risk of COVID-19 infection and complicates its course.

Although some nations banned alcohol sales completely during lockdown, others declared it as an essential commodity, resulting in different problems across countries. Alcohol use has added to the burden of the problem particularly among vulnerable groups like the adolescents, elderly, patients with cancer, as well as health professionals. Services for patients with alcohol use disorders have been affected.

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has had considerable impact on alcohol use, with an increase in alcohol related emergencies, changes in alcohol use patterns, increased risk of contracting COVID-19, effect on alcohol policies and sales, and an effect on vulnerable groups. It is essential to understand and respond to the current situation, intervene early, and prevent further repercussions of the pandemic.

Video abstract link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IJWtIs6e554PryKWhdma4VB--mjSZq1C/view?usp=sharing.

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Most cited references 112

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Changes in Adult Alcohol Use and Consequences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the US

Michael S Pollard, Joan Tucker, Harold D. Green (2020)

This survey study examines individual-level changes in alcohol use in US adults and associated negative consequences, from before to during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

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Lifestyle Risk Factors, Inflammatory Mechanisms, and COVID-19 Hospitalization: A Community-Based Cohort Study of 387,109 Adults in UK

Mark Hamer, Mika Kivimaki, Catharine R. Gale … (2020)

Highlights • The association between lifestyle factors and risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation is unknown. • In this large community-based sample, poorer lifestyle habit and elevated C-reactive protein was associated with greater risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation. • Unhealthy lifestyle behaviours in combination accounted for up to 51% of the population attributable fraction of severe COVID-19. • Low grade inflammation may be an important mechanism. • Adopting simple lifestyle changes could lower the risk of severe COVID-19 infection.

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Covid-19 and the Subsequent Lockdown Modified Dietary Habits of Almost Half the Population in an Italian Sample

Federico Scarmozzino, Francesco Visioli (2020)

The Covid-19 pandemic led to lockdowns in several parts of the world and, hence, changed some daily habits, including social interactions, the ability to perform sports, and—possibly—diet. The Italian government established and promulgated lockdown policies on 9 March 2020. We aim at assessing the effects of Covid-19-induced confinement policies on self-reported food consumption of self-selected Italians by means of a questionnaire that was created and diffused by the Internet. Nearly half, i.e., 49.6% of responders did not substantially modify their diet during the lockdown; however, 46.1% of them reported that they were eating more during confinement, and 19.5% gained weight. In particular, we report an increase in “comfort food” consumption, notably chocolate, ice-cream, and desserts (42.5%) and salty snacks (23.5%). In addition, 42.7% percent of this cohort attributed this increase to higher anxiety levels. Related to this, 36.8% of responders reported a decrease in alcohol consumption, even though 10.1% of them reported an increase. Interestingly, 21.2% of responders increased their consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables. Only 33.5% of those who declared decreased consumption attributed this change of diet to lower availability and ease of purchasing such items. Equally interesting, over half of responders, i.e., 56.2%, admitted that fruit and vegetables did not appeal to them while in lockdown. Purchases of ready-made meals were reduced by nearly 50%. Future large-scale similar studies should be undertaken worldwide and will help public health authorities shape their reactions to future, unavoidable pandemics.

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Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Curr Opin Psychiatry

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Curr Opin Psychiatry

Journal ID (publisher-id): COIP

Title: Current Opinion in Psychiatry

Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (Hagerstown, MD )

ISSN (Print): 0951-7367

ISSN (Electronic): 1473-6578

Publication date (Print): July 2021

Publication date (Electronic): 19 May 2021

Volume: 34

Issue: 4

Pages: 376-385

Affiliations

[a ]Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru

[b ]Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Deoghar, India

Author notes

Correspondence to Pratima Murthy, MD, DPM, FRCP (Glasgow), Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru 560029, India. Tel: +91 9844094482; e-mail: pratimamurthy@ 123456gmail.com

Article

Publisher ID: YCO340406 Accession ID: 00009

DOI: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000720

PMC ID: 8183243

PubMed ID: 34016817

SO-VID: 5e9378f0-20da-4904-a9ac-0492539c7de0

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This article is made available via the PMC Open Access Subset for unrestricted re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic or until permissions are revoked in writing. Upon expiration of these permissions, PMC is granted a perpetual license to make this article available via PMC and Europe PMC, consistent with existing copyright protections.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on alcohol use disorders and complications

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Abstract

Purpose of review

Recent findings

Summary

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Novel Coronavirus Disease COVID-19

Most cited references 112

Changes in Adult Alcohol Use and Consequences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the US

Lifestyle Risk Factors, Inflammatory Mechanisms, and COVID-19 Hospitalization: A Community-Based Cohort Study of 387,109 Adults in UK

Covid-19 and the Subsequent Lockdown Modified Dietary Habits of Almost Half the Population in an Italian Sample

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