New study shows every week of lockdown increases binge drinking

Date:
December 7, 2020
Source:
Taylor & Francis Group
Summary:
Study participants who regularly drank at harmful levels shown to
consume six drinks per session, compared to two alcoholic beverages
for those less regular binge drinkers.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Harmful drinking among adults increases the longer they spend at home in lockdown, according to a study published in the peer-reviewed American
Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.


==========================================================================
The research, based on a survey of nearly 2,000 over-18s in the US,
is the first to highlight the relationship nationally between hazardous drinking and life stresses triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated 'lockdowns'.

The findings show the odds of heavy alcohol consumption among binge
drinkers - - those who, within two hours, consumed five or more drinks
for men and four and above for women -- rose an extra 19% for every week
of lockdown.

The odds of increased alcohol intake overall for binge drinkers was more
than double that of people who did not drink excessively (60% vs 28%), especially those with depression or a history of the disease.

Carried out by experts at the University of Texas Health Science Center
School of Public Health, in Dallas, the study also highlights that:
* During the pandemic, binge drinkers on average drank four drinks per
occasion, compared to two drinks among non-binge drinkers.

* Participants who drank at harmful levels during the pandemic would
consume seven drinks maximum on one occasion. This is compared
to a maximum of two per session during the pandemic for those who
did not.

* Living with children in lockdown minimally reduced the odds (by
26%) of
turning to the bottle for people in general.

The researchers are now calling for new intervention and
prevention strategies for people in isolation at risk of hazardous
drinking. Otherwise, they say there could be long-lasting health
consequences.



========================================================================== "Increased time spent at home is a life stressor that impacts drinking
and the Covid-19 pandemic may have exacerbated this stress," says Sitara Weerakoon, a PhD candidate from the University of Texas.

"Future research should consider the potential for depressive symptoms
acting as a moderator (a factor that changes the impact) in the relation between the time spent under a shelter-in-place mandate (lockdown)
and binge drinking.

"Additional research is (also) needed to develop best treatment for
people with substance use disorders who may be more susceptible to
adverse health outcomes." The study aim was to identify a link between COVID-19-related stress factors and changes in alcohol consumption and
binge drinking since the pandemic began.

The data was from an online survey completed by 1,982 adults from
mid-March to mid-April, which coincided with the first US state-wide stay-at-home order on March 19. The average age of participants was 42
and the majority were white (89%) and female (69%).



========================================================================== Based on survey responses, the researchers categorised participants
as binge drinkers, non-binge drinkers and non-drinkers. Among the
factors analysed were length of time spent in lockdown, how many adults
or children they were living with, current or previous episodes of
depression, and job status related to lockdown such as decreased pay.

On average, every respondent had been in lockdown for four weeks,
and spent 21 hours a day at home, with the majority (72%) not leaving
for work.

Overall, nearly a third (32%) of participants reported binge drinking
during the pandemic with binge drinkers increasing their intake. However, non-binge drinkers consumed about the same amount of alcohol than before lockdown.

Limitations of the study include the survey data being self-reported,
and the fact the question on binge-drinking did not specify a time within
which the alcohol was consumed.

In addition, the majority (70%) of participants were relatively high
earners, a factor already associated with hazardous alcohol use. The
authors say future research is needed in a more 'generalizable
population'.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Taylor_&_Francis_Group. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. SM Weerakoon, KK Jetelina, G Knell. Longer time spent at home during
COVID-19 pandemic is associated with binge drinking among US adults.

American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Dec. 7, 2020; DOI:
10.1080/ 00952990.2020.1832508 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201207091306.htm

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