USA Today (9/22, Hauck) reports, “More than 18 months into the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S., nearly 1 in 5 Americans is consuming an unhealthy amount of alcohol, a new survey suggests.” Approximately 17% of the respondents “reported ‘heavy drinking’ in the past 30 days, according to the survey commissioned by Alkermes, an Ireland-based biopharmaceutical company.” Experts say “stress of world events and anxiety about the future can increase drinking and exacerbate symptoms of alcohol use disorder, as seen in the wake of previous disasters such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.”
The Hill (9/22, Lonas) reports, “The survey defined ‘heavy drinking’ as having two days a week where a woman drank more than four drinks or a man drank more than five drinks.” Respondents “who said they drank heavily in the past year also reported a decline in mental, psychosocial and physical health.”
Related Links:
— “Americans are using alcohol to cope with pandemic stress: Nearly 1 in 5 report ‘heavy drinking’ “Grace Hauck, USA TODAY, September 22, 2021