Alcohol-related deaths increased by so much in the first year of the pandemic

We don’t need a study to inform us that alcohol consumption has increased with the pandemic. You can probably see this on your credit card statement. However, as more studies are released, the picture gets worse, as COVID-19 drinking is exceeding our predictions and impacting the world in myriad ways. Alcohol-related deaths increased by 25% between 2019 and 2020, according to a new study.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, was conducted on people ages 16 and older.

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Photo by Fred Moon via Unsplash

The statistics considered a variety of scenarios associated with alcohol-related deaths, including underlying mental illness or the combination of opioids and alcohol. It listed up to 20 contributing causes. Although the researchers’ web was wide, they also accounted for all-cause deaths that year and found a relatively small increase, suggesting that alcohol played a role in the reported deaths.

“Alcohol-related deaths reflect the hidden fallout of the pandemic. Increased alcohol use to cope with pandemic-related stressors, changing alcohol policies, and disrupted access to treatment are possible factors,” the study researchers wrote. “Whether alcohol-related deaths will decline as the pandemic subsides, and whether policy changes could help reduce such deaths, deserves consideration.”

Alcohol problems have become pervasive since the pandemic, affecting people in ways big and small. Most of these problems stem from the development of an alcohol disorder, a term that encompasses a variety of behaviors ranging from difficulty balancing the need to drink with other activities, to withdrawal symptoms, to continued use of alcohol, too if this causes physical discomfort and psychological problems.

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A study shows alcohol consumption has changed significantly, with drinking days up 14% since the pandemic began. For women, these numbers are even higher, reporting a 41% increase in days of heavy drinking. Researchers speculate that this is because women have had to manage their balance, work, home life and household chores over the past two years.

The pandemic has put us all under great strain. While it’s understandable to turn to alcohol for relief, it’s also important to include other self-care activities that can make you feel happier and healthier.