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Changes in drinking days among US adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
General Information
Title
Changes in drinking days among US adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
Author
Courtney D. Nordeck, Kira E. Riehm, Emily J. Smail, Calliope Holingue, Jeremy C. Kane, Renee M. Johnson, Cindy B. Veldhuis, Luther G. Kalb, Elizabeth
Publication Type
Journal paper
Outlet
Addiction
Year
2021
Abstract
Aims
To examine changes in drinking behavior among United States (US) adults between March 10 and July 21, 2020, a critical period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design
Longitudinal, internet-based panel survey.
Setting
The Understanding America Study (UAS), a nationally representative panel of US adults age 18 or older.
Participants
A total of 4298 US adults who reported alcohol use.
Measurements
Changes in number of reported drinking days from March 11, 2020 through July 21, 2020 in the overall sample and stratified by sex, age, race/ethnicity, household structure, poverty status, and census region.
Findings
Compared with March 11, the number of drinking days per week was significantly higher on April 1 by an average of 0.36 days (95% CI = 0.30, 0.43), on May 1 by an average of 0.55 days (95% CI = 0.47, 0.63), on June 1 by an average of 0.41 days (95% CI = 0.33, 0.49), and on July 1 by an average of 0.39 days (95% CI = 0.31, 0.48). Males, White participants, and older adults reported sustained increases in drinking days, whereas female participants and individuals living under the federal poverty line had attenuated drinking days in the latter part of the study period.
Conclusions
Between March and mid-July 2020, adults in the United States reported increases in the number of drinking days, with sustained increases observed among males, White participants, and older adults.
To examine changes in drinking behavior among United States (US) adults between March 10 and July 21, 2020, a critical period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design
Longitudinal, internet-based panel survey.
Setting
The Understanding America Study (UAS), a nationally representative panel of US adults age 18 or older.
Participants
A total of 4298 US adults who reported alcohol use.
Measurements
Changes in number of reported drinking days from March 11, 2020 through July 21, 2020 in the overall sample and stratified by sex, age, race/ethnicity, household structure, poverty status, and census region.
Findings
Compared with March 11, the number of drinking days per week was significantly higher on April 1 by an average of 0.36 days (95% CI = 0.30, 0.43), on May 1 by an average of 0.55 days (95% CI = 0.47, 0.63), on June 1 by an average of 0.41 days (95% CI = 0.33, 0.49), and on July 1 by an average of 0.39 days (95% CI = 0.31, 0.48). Males, White participants, and older adults reported sustained increases in drinking days, whereas female participants and individuals living under the federal poverty line had attenuated drinking days in the latter part of the study period.
Conclusions
Between March and mid-July 2020, adults in the United States reported increases in the number of drinking days, with sustained increases observed among males, White participants, and older adults.