Study Finds Americans’ Pandemic Drinking Habits Persisted for Years

livewell
November 14, 2024
Noah Bennett

Introduction

Many scientific studies have proved the severe harmful effects of alcohol consumption on the human body. Research has also proved there is no safe limit for alcohol consumption and it should be avoided entirely. However, people in many parts of the world, including the US, generally turn to heavy and continuous drinking habits during a difficult period, such as a pandemic. The same pattern follows during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, a recent study shows a disturbing fact in the US even after the end of the pandemic alcohol consumption.

A recent, large study confirms that the higher trend of alcohol consumption by American adults during the pandemic persisted after Covid-19. According to this study, alcohol use among adults in the country rose by 4% between 2018 and 2022, while heavy alcohol use (binge drinking) has increased by 20%. However, the alarming situation is that this rate continued in 2022 as well.

Health specialists are concerned that pandemic-related drinking behavior can result in severe health complications related to the liver, brain, and other major organs. Doctors warn that the main groups at risk are those men and women between 40 and 50 years.

The Study

The comprehensive study was conducted for three years (2018 to 2020), with around 25,000 to 30,000 participants. The researchers divided these participants into heavy drinkers and drinkers of any alcohol use within one year. Heavy drinkers were those having five or more drinks in a day or 15 drinks per week for males and four drinks per day or 8 drinks per week for women.

The rise in alcohol consumption was observed in people of all ages, genders, and regions, while the largest increase was seen in people in their 40s (40 to 49 years). The researchers estimated that the drinking was triggered by the pandemic and it normalized due to the length of Covid-19. The stressors of the pandemic normalized heavy drinking, particularly among adults under 50. Health professionals are worried that this rate is historically high in the US.

Alcohol Addiction

The rise of alcohol use during pandemics and other stressors is due to its addictive effects. Alcohol consumption was lowering in the country but COVID-19 alarmingly reversed this situation. The worst thing that happened is the alcohol use trends post-pandemic, largely due to the addictive nature of this fermented drink. Alcohol use might start as a habit in many people due to continuous stress. However, these increased drinking habits continue in their previous state even after the eradication of the stressor due to addiction.

Health Effects of Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol use is related to hundreds of diseases and is the leading cause of preventable illnesses and death in the USA. These diseases are related to mental health (depression and anxiety), liver (cirrhosis), heart disease, cancer, etc. The wide range of diseases show that it impacts almost every part of the body negatively. Unlike previous studies, the latest research has proved that even moderate drinking is not safe and it may cause health issues in the long run.