Alcohol Misuse: Pre-pandemic and Now

Key Takeaways

• Pre-pandemic trends showed a global rise in alcohol consumption, with the US experiencing growth in sales of higher-priced alcoholic beverages and Europe reporting the highest intake of alcohol worldwide.
• Alcohol-related deaths in the US were increasing pre-pandemic, with a 2.2% annual rise over two decades, highlighting the severity of alcohol misuse.
• Socioeconomic status was found to correlate with alcohol consumption, with higher SES generally associated with increased drinking.
• Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are closely linked to alcohol misuse, with many using alcohol as a form of self-medication.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated global alcohol misuse, with a shift to home consumption and a rise in alcohol-related liver diseases and deaths.
• Stressors from the pandemic, such as isolation and economic hardship, have led to increased alcohol consumption and related health consequences.
• Alcohol-related deaths in the US surged by 25.5% from 2019 to 2020, with a notable rise in liver disease deaths among 25 to 44-year-olds.
• The intersection of mental health and alcohol misuse during the pandemic has been a significant factor in the rise of alcohol-related issues.
• Policy responses and targeted interventions are needed to address the dual crisis of alcohol misuse and mental health exacerbated by the pandemic.

Pre-pandemic Alcohol Misuse in the US

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol misuse was already a significant public health concern in the United States. The National Health Interview Survey indicated that over half of adults aged 18 and older regularly consumed alcohol, with at least 12 drinks in the past year as of 2018. Despite decades of general decline in alcohol-related traffic fatalities, other forms of alcohol misuse persisted, impacting health and contributing to mortality rates.

Research highlighted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) showed a steady increase in alcohol-related deaths prior to the pandemic, climbing approximately 2.2% per year over two decades. Specific figures from 2019 demonstrate the gravity of the situation, with alcohol-related deaths, inclusive of liver disease and accidents, reaching 78,927. The prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and its indirect effects on society, such as educational setbacks and loss of caregivers, were notably concerning.

The robustness of data collection methods, such as the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) registering over 99% of US deaths, lends credibility to these findings. These pre-pandemic numbers set a baseline for understanding the worsening of alcohol misuse during the pandemic, where isolation, stress, and limited access to medical and social resources further challenged individuals with AUD.

Factors Influencing Pre-Pandemic Alcohol Misuse

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol misuse was a significant public health concern with various contributing factors. A comprehensive analysis of research indicates that alcohol misuse has deep-rooted connections to numerous socio-economic and mental health issues.

Pre-Pandemic Link Between Mental Health and Alcohol Misuse

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the relationship between mental health issues and alcohol misuse was both complex and significant. Individuals struggling with mental health conditions often turned to alcohol as a form of self-medication, leading to a cycle of dependency and worsening mental health symptoms.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) had already identified this interconnection, advocating for comprehensive mental health services to address these concurrent challenges. SAMHSA’s budget proposals often included funding for crisis care and treatment facilities that cater not only to substance misuse but also to underlying mental health conditions.

Research has consistently demonstrated that mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression can both precipitate and exacerbate alcohol misuse. Psychologists, such as those contributing to the American Psychological Association (APA), have noted the stigma associated with substance use disorders and the need for targeted interventions. APA publications highlight the importance of addressing mental health issues as part of substance misuse treatment programs.

Before the pandemic, national statistics indicated that a significant portion of the population experienced psychological distress, which often correlated with increased alcohol consumption. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provided guidance on the prevalence and treatment of mental illnesses, emphasizing the need for effective care options. NIMH’s research and policy advisories have been instrumental in shaping approaches to mental health and alcohol misuse.

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Alcohol Misuse in the US

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on alcohol misuse in the United States, with alcohol-related deaths and consumption markedly increasing.

• During the first year of the pandemic, alcohol sales surged by 2.9%, the most significant annual rise in over half a century. This escalation resulted in a 25.5% jump in alcohol-related deaths from 2019 to 2020, totaling 99,107 fatalities, a stark increase from the 2.2% per-year growth seen in the previous two decades.
• Notably, alcohol-associated liver disease deaths rose by 22.4%, with the most considerable increase among individuals aged 25 to 44.
• Alcohol-related traffic fatalities reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spiked by 14% in 2020 after years of decline.
• Combined alcohol and opioid misuse was particularly deadly, with deaths involving both substances climbing by 40.8% and those involving alcohol and synthetic opioids like fentanyl soaring by 59.2%.

Factors Influencing Pandemic-Related Alcohol Misuse

Research attributes these alarming trends to several pandemic-induced stressors, including:

• Severe illness
• Grief
• Isolation
• Economic hardship
• Limited access to healthcare

The stress and anxiety experienced during this period have been linked to higher alcohol consumption, especially among those with a history of alcohol misuse.

Long-Term Implications

The long-term implications are dire, with projections indicating that a one-year increase in alcohol consumption could result in thousands of additional deaths from alcohol-related liver disease, liver failure, and liver cancer by 2040.

Contributing Factors to Increased Alcohol Misuse During COVID-19

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant uptick in alcohol misuse, with far-reaching health and social consequences. A synthesis of the research reveals several contributing factors to this increase. 

These factors collectively contributed to alarming health outcomes, including:

• A surge in alcohol-related liver disease
• Liver failure
• Liver cancer
• Emergency department visits for alcohol withdrawal

Socioeconomic Factors

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in alcohol consumption habits, with a notable shift from drinking in social settings like bars and restaurants to increased alcohol use at home. This shift is partly due to the profound social disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Factors like family conflicts, financial struggles, and unemployment have aggravated alcohol misuse. The increase in consumption has been linked to heightened feelings of impulsivity, hopelessness, loneliness, and aggressiveness. The long-term public health effects of prolonged isolation on alcohol use and misuse remain a concern, emphasizing the need for effective policy responses to mitigate harmful alcohol consumption.

Mental Health Factors

Anxiety and depression rates since the COVID-19 pandemic have skyrocketed, with anxiety increasing by 47% and depression by 9%, according to a Tulane University report.

This rise in mental health struggles was accompanied by an 8% increase in alcohol misuse, with many individuals turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism for pandemic-induced stress and isolation.

Research also points to a troubling trend of increased alcohol-related deaths during the pandemic, as indicated by data from the National Institutes of Health, which highlights a 25% rise in alcohol-related fatalities.

Overall, the pandemic has worsened the pre-existing public health issue of alcohol misuse, which is tightly intertwined with the prevailing mental health crisis. The challenges of severe illness, job loss, economic hardship, and social isolation have all contributed to a landscape where alcohol misuse has become an epidemic within the pandemic.

Same-Day Admissions for Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Understanding what makes someone addicted to alcohol can be the first step in helping a person seek treatment. Depending on how bad their alcohol misuse has been or if medically-assisted alcohol detox will be needed for withdrawal symptoms, entering a treatment center may be a necessary option. Professional medical staff can assist in the difficult process of withdrawal, making the transition into sobriety less daunting.

Alcohol misuse treatment programs teach people how to move into an alcohol-free lifestyle while teaching them healthy coping strategies. They can simultaneously help treat any co-occurring mental health issues.

Contact The Recovery Village Palmer Lake if you have questions about treatment or if you’re ready to get on the path to recovery and end your addiction to alcohol.