Healio (2/8, Miller) reports many adults in the US plan to continue certain practices aimed at curbing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 after the COVID-19 pandemic ends, according to a national survey. In the survey, 80% of respondents said they plan to continue avoiding crowds and 72% said they plan to continue wearing masks in public.

HealthDay (2/8) also covers the story.

Related Links:

— “Most Americans say they will continue preventive measures after COVID-19 pandemic ends “Janel Miller, Healio, February 8, 2021

Los Angeles Times (2/8, Cahan) reports, “As the pandemic sends thousands of recovering alcoholics into relapse, hospitals across the country have reported dramatic increases in alcohol-related admissions for critical diseases such as alcoholic hepatitis and liver failure.” The Times adds, “Specialists at hospitals affiliated with the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, Harvard University and Mount Sinai Health System in New York City said rates of admissions for alcoholic liver disease have leapt by up to 50% since March.”

Related Links:

— “As alcohol abuse rises amid pandemic, hospitals see a wave of deadly liver disease “Eli Cahan, Los Angeles Times, February 8, 2021

The Wall Street Journal (2/6, Drexler, Subscription Publication) reported that while some people have consumed more alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic, others have decided to give it up entirely in order to avoid the risk of becoming a problem drinker.

Related Links:

— “Giving Up Alcohol in the Era of Covid-19 “Peggy Drexle, The Wall Street Journal, February 6, 2021

The New York Times (2/6, Harel) reported, “Lots of people seem to be smoking again or more during the pandemic, if anecdotal evidence and preliminary sales figures for tobacco products are any measure.” The New York Times quoted several people describing how being stuck inside, isolated, and stressed has led them to start smoking again or smoke more than they were before the pandemic.

Related Links:

— “Smokers Might Be Lighting Up More “Monica Corcoran Harel, The New York Times, February 6, 2021

Healio (2/5, Gramigna) reported,Over 20% of teens and young adults in the United States prescribed a psychoactive medication “reported misusing that drug,” researchers concluded in a study that “sought to evaluate prevalence and correlates of medical use and misuse of psychoactive prescription medications among 110,556 youth and young adults aged 12 to 25 years in the U.S.” The findings were published in the January issue of Family Medicine and Community Health.

Related Links:

— “Many teens and young adults misuse prescribed psychoactive drugs “Joe Gramigna, Healio, February 5, 2021