Has your alcohol consumption increased during the pandemic?
It’s no secret that many people use alcohol to cope with stress. The ramifications surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have affected people around globe. We are all feeling the stress of the new world we have been living in for almost a year now. People are spending more time at home which has led to increased isolation, depression, and marital conflict. Schools have gone to virtual or hybrid environments which impacts parenting and work. And losses of jobs and income are creating financial stress.
Studies have shown that alcohol consumption increases within 12 months of a major disaster – and COVID-19 is proving to have had this effect. In case you had any doubt about the combination of stress and drinking, listen to this fact: stores sold 54% more alcohol in late March 2020 as compared to the year before. Online sales more than doubled.
In October of 2020, the CDC published a report showing alcohol-related deaths on the rise in the United States. Americans are drinking 14% more often during the pandemic. That can be a huge problem for everyone – people who were already drinking too much to begin with, people who were borderline drinking too much, and people who are suddenly drinking more than they used to.
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