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Na X, Zhang J, Xie C, Zeng H, Wu L, Fan D, Yang H, Shi X, Zhou Y, Yu H, Tan Y, Zhang Y, Zhao A. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dietary behaviors among school-age children, adolescents, and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev 2024:nuae050. [PMID: 38820346 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuae050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT The COVID-19 pandemic has had a global impact on food security and nutrition, both in the short and long term. The influence on school-age children, adolescents, and young adults may be particularly significant and long-lasting. OBJECTIVE This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dietary habits among school-age children, adolescents, and young adults worldwide. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched from inception to October 5, 2023. DATA EXTRACTION We included observational studies published in English that reported dietary quality scores and dietary intake quantities during and before the COVID-19 pandemic among school-age children, adolescents, and young adults. We included a total of 22 cohort studies and 20 cross-sectional studies of high or moderate quality. DATA ANALYSIS We conducted a meta-analysis, expressing dietary quality scores and dietary intake quantities as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). For studies with low heterogeneity, we used a fixed-effects model; otherwise, we applied a random-effects model. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was employed by 2 reviewers independently to evaluate methodological quality. The analysis indicated that, overall, juice intake increased (SMD = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.20), while alcohol consumption reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic (SMD = -0.28, 95% CI: -0.47 to -0.08). However, the age-stratified results varied. Among school-age children, intake of fruit, dairy products, sugar, and juice increased. Adolescents showed an increase in meal frequency and vegetable intake. Young adults showed reduced carbohydrate and alcohol intakes, while protein and dairy product intakes increased, based on limited included studies. CONCLUSION Dietary changes in school-age children from before to during the pandemic were mixed, while dietary behavior changes in adolescents and young adults tended to be more positive. Considering the lasting effects of negative dietary behaviors, attention should be given to addressing the increased sugar and juice intakes. It is also crucial that caregivers and researchers monitor whether positive dietary behaviors will rebound after returning to normal study and life. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023420923.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Na
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Junhan Zhang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chenyou Xie
- School of Arts & Sciences, University of Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Huatang Zeng
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Shenzhen Health Development Research and Data Management Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518028, China
| | - Liqun Wu
- Shenzhen Health Development Research and Data Management Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518028, China
| | - Dongying Fan
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Haibing Yang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaojin Shi
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yiguo Zhou
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Haoran Yu
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yuefeng Tan
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ai Zhao
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Angus C, Henney M, Pryce R. Modelling the longer-term health and health inequality impacts of changes in alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic in England. J Public Health (Oxf) 2024; 46:286-293. [PMID: 38304989 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol consumption changed substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic for many people. This study quantified how these changes in drinking varied across the population and their potential longer-term impact on health and health inequalities. METHODS We analyzed data from the Alcohol Toolkit Study to estimate how alcohol consumption changed during the pandemic (April 2020-November 2021) and how these changes varied with age, sex, drinking level and socioeconomic position. We combined these estimates with a range of alternative scenarios of future alcohol consumption and used the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model to assess the long-term health and health inequality impacts of these changes. RESULTS Alcohol consumption in 2020-21 increased in heavier drinkers but fell in moderate drinkers. If alcohol consumption returns to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, we estimate a total of 42 677 additional hospital admissions and 1830 deaths over 20 years because of these changes. If consumption remains at 2021 levels in the long-term these figures rise to 355 832 and 12 849, respectively. In all scenarios, the biggest increase in harm occurs in the most deprived 20% of the population. CONCLUSIONS Pandemic-era changes in alcohol consumption are likely to have a significant negative impact on public health and health inequalities, even under optimistic assumptions about future drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Angus
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK
| | - Madeleine Henney
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK
| | - Robert Pryce
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK
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Petersen N, Adank DN, Quan Y, Edwards CM, Taylor A, Winder DG, Doyle MA. A novel mouse home cage lickometer system reveals sex- and housing-based influences on alcohol drinking. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.22.595186. [PMID: 38826244 PMCID: PMC11142211 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.22.595186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant global health issue. Despite historically higher rates among men, AUD prevalence and negative alcohol-related outcomes in women are rising. Loneliness in humans has been associated with increased alcohol use, and traditional rodent drinking models involve single housing, presenting challenges for studying social enrichment. We developed LIQ PARTI (Lick Instance Quantifier with Poly-Animal RFID Tracking Integration), an open-source tool to examine home cage continuous access two-bottle choice drinking behavior in a group-housed setting, investigating the influence of sex and social isolation on ethanol consumption and bout microstructure in C57Bl/6J mice. LIQ PARTI, based on our previously developed single-housed LIQ HD system, accurately tracks drinking behavior using capacitive-based sensors and RFID technology. Group-housed female mice exhibited higher ethanol preference than males, while males displayed a unique undulating pattern of ethanol preference linked to cage changes, suggesting a potential stress-related response. Chronic ethanol intake distinctly altered bout microstructure between male and female mice, highlighting sex and social environmental influences on drinking behavior. Social isolation with the LIQ HD system amplified fluid intake and ethanol preference in both sexes, accompanied by sex- and fluid-dependent changes in bout microstructure. However, these effects largely reversed upon resocialization, indicating the plasticity of these behaviors in response to social context. Utilizing a novel group-housed home cage lickometer device, our findings illustrate the critical interplay of sex and housing conditions in voluntary alcohol drinking behaviors in C57Bl/6J mice, facilitating nuanced insights into the potential contributions to AUD etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Petersen
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
| | - Danielle N. Adank
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Department of Neurobiology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655
| | - Yizhen Quan
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
| | - Caitlyn M. Edwards
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Department of Neurobiology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655
| | - Anne Taylor
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
| | - Danny G. Winder
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Department of Neurobiology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655
| | - Marie A. Doyle
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232
- Department of Neurobiology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655
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Lewandowski ME, Delawalla CN, Butcher TJ, Oberlin BG. Changes in substance use, recovery, and quality of life during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300848. [PMID: 38776315 PMCID: PMC11111065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives on a massive scale. While the pandemic appeared to worsen mental health outcomes broadly, its effects on alcohol/substance use and recovery are unclear. Many studies convolved the sociopolitical unrest beginning in May 2020 with the pandemic. We assessed pandemic-related changes in substance use, recovery involvement, and quality of life among US adults at two specified time periods that isolated pandemic effects from potentially confounding sociopolitical factors. OBJECTIVES We tested the following hypotheses: the pandemic and consequent policies (1) increased use of alcohol and illicit substances in active users; (2) increased use of alcohol/substances among people in early recovery; (3) reduced participation in recovery activities among those in early recovery, and that (4) use amount and use events correlated with impulsivity in both groups and that (5) substance use and abstinence correlated with resilience. METHODS We recruited 1,685 participants through Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk). We assessed demographics, quality of life, alcohol/substance use, recovery activities, and measures of impulsivity and resilience at two time points, pre-pandemic and (early) during-pandemic. Only n = 45 (Active Users; males n = 32) and n = 34 (Recovery; males n = 20) passed data quality checks and were included in the primary analyses. RESULTS Among Active Users, weekly alcohol consumption and days spent using alcohol and illicit substances decreased during the pandemic. Resilience negatively correlated with pandemic-related substance use in early recovering participants. Significant reduction in the quality of life was coincident with a trend of lower recovery activity participation (31% decline) during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS The reduced alcohol/substance use and participation in recovery activities might be expected from conditions that promote social isolation. The high prevalence of low-quality data from MTurk cautions for careful use of online data sourcing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megayn E. Lewandowski
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Colette N. Delawalla
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Psychological Science, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Tarah J. Butcher
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Brandon G. Oberlin
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
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Kostadinov V, Bonevski B, Harrison NJ, Bowden J. Factors associated with very high-risk drinking in the Australian general population: How do men and women compare? Drug Alcohol Rev 2024. [PMID: 38768608 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite vulnerability to alcohol-related harms, women have historically been under-represented in alcohol research. This study examined the prevalence and characteristics of women who drink at very high-risk levels (11+ standard drinks monthly), factors associated with this consumption and comparisons with men. METHODS Secondary analyses of 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey data were undertaken. Significant differences by sex in the distribution of demographic and alcohol-related variables were explored using chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests. Binary logistic regression examined factors associated with very high-risk drinking. RESULTS Very high-risk drinking was reported by 10.4% of men and 3.1% of women. Compared to men, women were significantly younger with higher levels of psychological distress/mental health conditions, and were more likely to be unmarried. Both women and men engaged in a range of harm-minimisation strategies. Odds of very high-risk drinking were significantly higher for respondents who were male, younger, employed, lived in a regional/rural/remote area, psychologically distressed, smoked and used illicit drugs. Interactions with sex indicated that very high-risk drinking declined after the age of 24 for men compared to 44 for women. Being married reduced the likelihood of very high-risk drinking more greatly among women compared to men, while living in a major city reduced the likelihood among men (and not women). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Very high-risk drinking is not limited to Australian men, and the women who drink at these levels have distinct profiles and factors associated with consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Kostadinov
- National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Billie Bonevski
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Nathan J Harrison
- National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Jacquie Bowden
- National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
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Vornlocher C, Shiota MN. Drinking While Stressed and Drinking to Cope Differentially Relate to Mental Health. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:402. [PMID: 38785893 PMCID: PMC11118402 DOI: 10.3390/bs14050402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Excessive alcohol use, as well as drinking to manage distress, are known to undermine mental health. The current study examined the unique associations of simply consuming alcohol while stressed, versus using alcohol to cope with distress, with mental health during the early stages of COVID-19. Participants (N = 264) reported their alcohol use and use of alcohol/substances to cope with stress daily for 22 days and completed measures of mental health at baseline and every 7 days thereafter. Hierarchical regression models were tested to predict drinking while stressed, drinking to cope, and mental health. At baseline, drinking while stressed was not significantly associated with mental health when coping motives were accounted for. However, drinking to cope was significantly associated with greater stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Drinking while stressed was significantly predicted by baseline stress and loneliness, while drinking to cope was significantly predicted by baseline anxiety. Drinking while stressed was not a significant predictor of change in mental health when coping motives were accounted for. Drinking to cope was a significant predictor of increases in depression but not of change in stress, anxiety, or loneliness. The motivation to manage distress appears to be driving the negative effects of alcohol use on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carley Vornlocher
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, USA;
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Castle ME, Flanigan ME. The role of brain serotonin signaling in excessive alcohol consumption and withdrawal: A call for more research in females. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 30:100618. [PMID: 38433994 PMCID: PMC10907856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, but current treatments are insufficient in fully addressing the symptoms that often lead to relapses in alcohol consumption. The brain's serotonin system has been implicated in AUD for decades and is a major regulator of stress-related behaviors associated with increased alcohol consumption. This review will discuss the current literature on the association between neurobiological adaptations in serotonin systems and AUD in humans as well as the effectiveness of serotonin receptor manipulations on alcohol-related behaviors like consumption and withdrawal. We will further discuss how these findings in humans relate to findings in animal models, including a comparison of systemic pharmacological manipulations modulating alcohol consumption. We next provide a detailed overview of brain region-specific roles for serotonin and serotonin receptor signaling in alcohol-related behaviors in preclinical animal models, highlighting the complexity of forming a cohesive model of serotonin function in AUD and providing possible avenues for more effective therapeutic intervention. Throughout the review, we discuss what is known about sex differences in the sequelae of AUD and the role of serotonin in these sequelae. We stress a critical need for additional studies in women and female animals so that we may build a clearer path to elucidating sex-specific serotonergic mechanisms and develop better treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E. Castle
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Meghan E. Flanigan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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Rehm J. Covid-19, the polarization of substance use, and mental health. J Pediatr (Rio J) 2024:S0021-7557(24)00057-3. [PMID: 38685271 DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Rehm
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre at CAMH, Toronto, Canada & WHO European Region Collaborating Centre at the Public Health Institute of Catalonia, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany; Program on Substance Abuse & WHO European Region Collaboration Centre, Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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Åberg F, Jiang ZG, Cortez-Pinto H, Männistö V. Alcohol-associated liver disease-Global epidemiology. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00852. [PMID: 38640041 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), as highlighted in this narrative review, is a major public health concern, increasingly impacting global disease burden and premature mortality. In 2019, ALD accounted for the loss of 11 million life-years worldwide. The rising number of deaths and disability-adjusted life-years attributed to ALD, particularly pronounced in the United States, are alarming. Projections suggest that the economic impact of ALD, as seen in the United States, could potentially double by 2040. ALD is increasingly prevalent among younger adults (20-45 y) and has become the leading cause of liver transplantation in both United States and Europe. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the existing trend was further amplified as high-risk drinking patterns coincided with a rise in hospital admissions for alcohol-associated hepatitis and increased ALD-related mortality. The prevalence of ALD is estimated at 3.5% in the general population, 26.0% among hazardous drinkers, and 55.1% among those with alcohol use disorders. Alarmingly, 5-year mortality rates for patients with ALD exceed 50%, with even higher rates in more advanced disease stages. Methodological challenges, such as underreporting, diagnostic difficulties, and variability in registry data quality, complicate the accurate assessment of the impact of ALD. Additionally, the contribution of alcohol to the progression of other liver diseases is often under acknowledged in health care registries, leading to a significant underestimation of its broader implications for liver health. Addressing the growing ALD concern requires robust public health initiatives, heightened awareness, refined diagnostic techniques, and comprehensive epidemiological studies. These measures are vital to tackle the increasing prevalence of ALD and mitigate its extensive impact on individuals and health care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik Åberg
- Transplantation and Liver Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Z Gordon Jiang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Helena Cortez-Pinto
- Clínica Universitária de Gastrenterologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ville Männistö
- Department of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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Jose R, Wang W, Sherman G, Rosenthal RN, Schwartz HA, Ungar LH, McKay JR. Tapping into alcohol use during COVID: Drinking correlates among bartenders and servers. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300932. [PMID: 38625926 PMCID: PMC11020438 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID pandemic placed a spotlight on alcohol use and the hardships of working within the food and beverage industry, with millions left jobless. Following previous studies that have found elevated rates of alcohol problems among bartenders and servers, here we studied the alcohol use of bartenders and servers who were employed during COVID. From February 12-June 16, 2021, in the midst of the U.S. COVID national emergency declaration, survey data from 1,010 employed bartender and servers were analyzed to quantify rates of excessive or hazardous drinking along with regression predictors of alcohol use as assessed by the 10-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Findings indicate that more than 2 out of 5 (44%) people surveyed reported moderate or high rates of alcohol problem severity (i.e., AUDIT scores of 8 or higher)-a rate 4 to 6 times that of the heavy alcohol use rate reported pre- or mid-pandemic by adults within and outside the industry. Person-level factors (gender, substance use, mood) along with the drinking habits of one's core social group were significantly associated with alcohol use. Bartenders and servers reported surprisingly high rates of alcohol problem severity and experienced risk factors for hazardous drinking at multiple ecological levels. Being a highly vulnerable and understudied population, more studies on bartenders and servers are needed to assess and manage the true toll of alcohol consumption for industry employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupa Jose
- Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Weixi Wang
- Department of Computer Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Garrick Sherman
- Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Richard N. Rosenthal
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - H. Andrew Schwartz
- Department of Computer Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Lyle H. Ungar
- Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - James R. McKay
- Philadelphia Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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11
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Acuff SF, Padovano HT, Carpenter RW, Emery NN, Miranda R. Effects of social drinking context on subjective effects, affect, and next-day appraisals in the natural environment. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:755-765. [PMID: 38439602 PMCID: PMC11015969 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drinking commonly occurs in social settings and may bolster social reinforcement. Laboratory studies suggest that subjective effects and mood are mechanisms through which the social context influences alcohol consumption. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) may be useful for extending these findings to the natural environment. This pre-registered secondary analysis of EMA data investigated the influence of the social environment on: (1) stimulating and sedating subjective effects of alcohol, (2) contentedness and negative affect, and (3) next-day evaluations of the drinking occasion. METHODS Nontreatment seeking adults reporting past-month heavy drinking (N = 131; Mage = 28.09; 42% female) completed 7 days of EMA (in the morning, at random, and following drinking prompts), which included questions on their social context (drinking in the presence of known others or alone), contemporaneous stimulating and sedating effects, contentedness and negative affect, alcohol consumption, and next-day evaluations of a prior day's drinking event (how satisfying/pleasant was drinking). We used multi-level models in SAS 9.4 M7 software to examine relations among the variables. RESULTS Contemporaneous subjective effects (stimulating or sedating), negative affect, and contentedness did not significantly depend on the social context. For next-day evaluations of pleasure/satisfaction from drinking, context effects were dependent on consumption totals. As the total number of standard drinks consumed increased, recollections of pleasure/satisfaction were higher when drinking had occurred with others, relative to alone. At lower consumption totals, next-day evaluations did not appear to depend on social context. CONCLUSIONS When reported contemporaneously, subjective effects and affect do not appear dependent upon the presence of known others. However, heavier drinking events, relative to lighter drinking events, are appraised more favorably the following day when occurring within social contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel F. Acuff
- Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Recovery Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Ryan W. Carpenter
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Noah N. Emery
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Robert Miranda
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Riverside, RI, USA
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Maki KA, Crayton CB, Butera G, Wallen GR. Examining the relationship between the oral microbiome, alcohol intake and alcohol-comorbid neuropsychological disorders: protocol for a scoping review. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e079823. [PMID: 38514150 PMCID: PMC10961520 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Heavy alcohol use and alcohol use disorder (AUD) continues to rise as a public health problem and increases the risk for disease. Elevated rates of anxiety, depression, sleep disruption and stress are associated with alcohol use. Symptoms may progress to diagnosed neurophysiological conditions and increase risk for relapse if abstinence is attempted. Research on mechanisms connecting the gastrointestinal microbiome to neuropsychological disorders through the gut-brain axis is well-established. Less is known how the oral microbiome and oral microbial-associated biomarkers may signal to the brain. Therefore, a synthesis of research studying relationships between alcohol intake, alcohol-associated neurophysiological symptoms and the oral microbiome is needed to understand the state of the current science. In this paper, we outline our protocol to collect, evaluate and synthesise research focused on associations between alcohol intake and AUD-related neuropsychological disorders with the oral microbiome. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The search strategy was developed and will be executed in collaboration with a medical research librarian. Studies will be screened by two independent investigators according to the aim of the scoping review, along with the outlined exclusion and inclusion criteria. After screening, data will be extracted and synthesised from the included papers according to predefined demographic, clinical and microbiome methodology metrics. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION A scoping review of primary sources is needed to synthesise the data on relationships between alcohol use, neuropsychological conditions associated with AUD and the oral microbiome. The proposed scoping review is based on the data from publicly available databases and does not require ethical approval. We expect the results of this synthesis will identify gaps in the growing literature and highlight potential mechanisms linking the oral-brain axis to addiction and other associated neuropsychological conditions. The study findings and results will be disseminated through journals and conferences related to psychology, neuroscience, dentistry and the microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Maki
- Clinical Center, Translational Biobehavioral and Health Disparities Branch, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Chelsea B Crayton
- Clinical Center, Translational Biobehavioral and Health Disparities Branch, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gisela Butera
- Division of Library Services, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gwenyth R Wallen
- Clinical Center, Translational Biobehavioral and Health Disparities Branch, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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13
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Jackson SE, Oldham M, Angus C, Holmes J, Brown J. Trends in purchasing cross-border, illicit and home-brewed alcohol: A population study in Great Britain, 2020-2023. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024. [PMID: 38511409 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The last 3 years have seen substantial changes in Great Britain (GB) including the COVID-19 pandemic, cost-of-living crisis and policy changes such as minimum unit pricing. We examined changes in purchasing cross-border, illicit and home-brewed alcohol among risky drinkers over this period. METHODS Data were used from 22,086 adult (≥18 years) increasing/higher-risk drinkers (AUDIT-C ≥5) participating in a monthly cross-sectional survey between October 2020 and August 2023. We estimated time trends in the proportion reporting obtaining alcohol from: (i) cross-border (any/within-GB/international); (ii) illicit; and (iii) home-brewed sources in the past 6 months. RESULTS Between October 2020 and August 2023, the proportion reporting cross-border alcohol purchases increased (from 8.5% to 12.5% overall; prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.47 [95% CI 1.17-1.86]). This was largely driven by an increase in cross-border purchases abroad (PR = 1.52 [1.13-2.05]), with a smaller, uncertain increase in cross-border purchases within GB (PR = 1.37 [0.96-1.95]). The prevalence of cross-border alcohol purchasing was higher in Wales (13.8% [12.3-15.4%]) and Scotland (6.1% [5.4-6.8%]) than England (3.6% [3.3-3.9%]). There was little change in illicit alcohol purchasing in England or Wales (4.1% [3.7-4.4%]; 4.2% [3.2-5.1%]), but in Scotland it fell from 5.7% to 2.4% (PR = 0.42 [0.19-0.81]). Home-brewed alcohol was rare (GB: 3.1% [2.9-3.4]) and stable. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The proportion of increasing/higher-risk drinkers in GB purchasing cross-border alcohol increased between October 2020 and August 2023, due to an increase in people buying alcohol abroad. Cross-border alcohol purchases within GB were more commonly reported in Wales and Scotland. The small proportion purchasing illicit alcohol did not change substantially in England or Wales, but fell by half in Scotland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Jackson
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK
- SPECTRUM Consortium, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Melissa Oldham
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK
- SPECTRUM Consortium, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Colin Angus
- SPECTRUM Consortium, Edinburgh, UK
- Division of Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - John Holmes
- SPECTRUM Consortium, Edinburgh, UK
- Division of Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jamie Brown
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK
- SPECTRUM Consortium, Edinburgh, UK
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14
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Mojica-Perez Y, Willoughby B, Anderson-Luxford D, Wilkinson C, Kuntsche E, Callinan S, Ritter A. Exploring the relationship between solitary drinking and living without other adults on alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alcohol Alcohol 2024; 59:agae013. [PMID: 38497163 PMCID: PMC10945291 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agae013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS The COVID-19 pandemic presents the opportunity to learn about solitary drinking as many people were forced to spend time at home. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between solitary drinking and living without other adults on alcohol consumption. METHODS A longitudinal study with four survey waves (between May and November 2020) obtained seven-day drinking diary data from Australian adults living in New South Wales. In May, a convenience sample of 586 participants (Mage = 35.3, SD = 14.8; 65.3% women) completed the first wave. Participants then completed a survey in June (n = 319, 54.4% response rate), July/August (n = 225, 38.4% response rate), and November (n = 222, 37.9% response rate). Information about alcohol consumption including risky drinking (more than four drinks on one occasion), household structure, solitary drinking, and demographics were collected. We conducted random-effects panel bivariate and multivariable regression analyses predicting the number of standard drinks and risky drinking. RESULTS Participants with solitary drinking occasions consumed more and had more risky drinking occasions than participants with no solitary drinking occasions, which was also found to be the case during lockdown. Living without other adults was associated with less consumption and less risky drinking than living with other adults. However, participants who lived without other adults and had frequent solitary drinking occasions (solitary drinking in >50% drinking occasions) reported more consumption than participants without a solitary drinking occasion. CONCLUSIONS Individuals who consume alcohol alone and live without other adults or spend long periods of time at home may be more at risk of alcohol-related harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette Mojica-Perez
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Bree Willoughby
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Dan Anderson-Luxford
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Claire Wilkinson
- Drug Policy Modelling Program, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Emmanuel Kuntsche
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest 1088, Hungary
| | - Sarah Callinan
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Alison Ritter
- Drug Policy Modelling Program, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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15
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Mohamed MS, Rukh G, Vadlin S, Olofsdotter S, Åslund C, Schiöth HB, Nilsson KW. Differential change in alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of loneliness, socialization, and mental well-being. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1236410. [PMID: 38495906 PMCID: PMC10940434 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1236410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in mental health issues and psychological distress, disruption to work/studying conditions, and social isolation particularly among young adults. Changes in these factors are differentially associated with alcohol use. Moreover, the relationship between these factors are bidirectional and may have fluctuated throughout the different phases of the pandemic. However, studies focusing on young adults had conflicting results, short follow-up periods, and lacked comprehensive data to describe underlying mechanisms. Methods 1067 young adults participated in repetitive measures termed wave 4 (2021) of the Survey of Adolescent Life in Västmanland Cohort "SALVe" Cohort. Of these, 889 also completed pre-pandemic measurements termed wave 3 (2018). Participants completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to evaluate alcohol consumption and harmful use. Cross-sectional associations between perceived changes in alcohol use and shift in individual, mental health, and work environment factors were examined using Chi-square tests. Logistic regression was utilized to identify pre-pandemic predictors of harmful consumption during the pandemic. Results Harmful consumption decreased only in females following the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants who reported increased feelings of depression, anxiety, and loneliness were more likely to increase their alcohol use. Interestingly, the subgroup who felt less lonely and met their friends more often, as well as those who continued working/studying from their regular workplace also had an increased likelihood of higher consumption. Only pre-pandemic ADHD and delinquency symptoms predicted harmful alcohol consumption following the pandemic. Conclusion Females reduced harmful alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. While those who suffered the burden of social isolation and distress were more likely to increase their alcohol use, young adults who felt less lonely and met their friends more often also had a similar outcome. The relationship between loneliness and alcohol consumption among young adults is influenced by the social factors that may be facilitated by drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed S. Mohamed
- Center for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, Västmanland County Hospital Västerås, Västerås, Sweden
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gull Rukh
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sofia Vadlin
- Center for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, Västmanland County Hospital Västerås, Västerås, Sweden
| | - Susanne Olofsdotter
- Center for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, Västmanland County Hospital Västerås, Västerås, Sweden
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Åslund
- Center for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, Västmanland County Hospital Västerås, Västerås, Sweden
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Helgi B. Schiöth
- Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kent W. Nilsson
- Center for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, Västmanland County Hospital Västerås, Västerås, Sweden
- School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Division of Public Health Sciences, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden
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16
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Wickham RE, Steers MLN, Ward RM, Liu-Pham R. Tracking Changes in the Endorsement of Injunctive Drinking Norms in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Longitudinal Alignment Analysis. Assessment 2024; 31:237-247. [PMID: 36876651 PMCID: PMC9996102 DOI: 10.1177/10731911231158622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
The onset of the pandemic saw shifts in messaging around the acceptability of alcohol consumption at different times and contexts. A psychometric analysis of responses to injunctive norms may reveal important differences in specific aspects of norms that were influenced by the pandemic. Study 1 used alignment analysis to evaluate measurement invariance in low- and high-risk injunctive norms across samples of Midwestern college students from 2019 to 2021. Study 2 used an alignment-within-confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach to replicate the solution from Study 1 in an independent longitudinal sample (N = 1,148) who responded between 2019 and 2021. For Study 1, the latent mean for high-risk norms was significantly higher in 2021, and the endorsement of four specific norms also differed. In Study 2, increases in latent means for low- and high-risk norms were observed across 2020 and 2021, and differential endorsement emerged for one high-risk norm item. Examining scale-level changes in injunctive drinking norms provides insight into how college students' perceptions changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ryan Liu-Pham
- University of Southern Mississippi,
Hattiesburg, USA
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17
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Kwok A, Dordevic AL, Truby H. Exploring the short-term impact of swapping consumption from standard protein snacks to higher protein snacks on energy intake in social drinkers: Is protein worth a nudge? Food Sci Nutr 2024; 12:2037-2049. [PMID: 38455182 PMCID: PMC10916573 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Drinking alcoholic beverages stimulates food intake and contributes to the passive overconsumption of dietary energy. As protein is the most satiating of all the macronutrients, increased levels in snacks taken with alcohol have the potential to minimize excess energy consumption. We hypothesized that swapping consumption from retail-available standard protein (SP) snacks to higher protein (HP) snack foods would increase satiety and reduce acute food energy intake in social drinkers. A randomized single-blind crossover trial with 19 healthy participants aged 19-31 years was conducted. Participants attended two separate testing sessions, where they ingested white wine (30 g alcohol) and were offered ad libitum access to either HP snacks with a protein-fortified dip or SP snacks with a dip. There were no significant differences in mean food mass, food energy intake, or subjective appetite ratings between the high and SP snacks (all p > .05). Mean protein intake was significantly increased with HP snacks compared with standard snacks (p < .001). Plasma glucose median incremental area under the curve and mean peak were significantly higher with the SP snacks (all p < .05) but remained within the reference range. This study demonstrated that consumption of a higher amount of protein after a moderate alcohol dose does not result in a change in food mass and energy intake or promote satiety in healthy young adults. The potential for a simple swap to different snack types is unlikely to bring substantial benefits to social drinkers and reduce passive energy consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair Kwok
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and FoodMonash UniversityNotting HillVictoriaAustralia
| | - Aimee L. Dordevic
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and FoodMonash UniversityNotting HillVictoriaAustralia
| | - Helen Truby
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition SciencesUniversity of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
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18
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Ntho TA, Themane MJ, Sepadi MD, Phochana TS, Sodi T, Quarshie ENB. Prevalence of alcohol use and associated factors since COVID-19 among school-going adolescents within the Southern African Development Community: a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080675. [PMID: 38413145 PMCID: PMC10900308 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly shaped the global landscape and impacted various aspects of individuals' lives, especially the behaviour of school-going adolescents regarding substance use. Among these substances, alcohol is the most predominant substance, particularly among school-going adolescents, who also are highly susceptible to harmful alcohol use, such as poor academic performance, psychiatric disorders and disrupted social lives. This review will synthesise the known prevalence estimates and associated factors of alcohol use among school-going adolescents in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) since the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will perform a systematic review in line with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews. We will systematically search for selected global databases (ScienceDirect, EbscoHost, PsycINFO and PubMed) and regional electronic databases (African Index Medicus, Sabinet and African Journals OnLine). Peer-reviewed literature published between 11 March 2020 and 10 March 2024 will be considered for eligibility without language restriction. All 16 countries of the SADC region will be included in the review. The Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool checklist for quality appraisal will be used to appraise the methodological quality of the included studies. Depending on the level of heterogeneity, prevalence estimates will be pooled in a meta-analysis; narrative synthesis will be applied to describe the reported associated factors of alcohol use. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION We will not seek ethical approval from an institutional review board since the study will not involve gathering data directly from individual school-going adolescents, nor will it violate their privacy. When completed, the full report of this review will be submitted to a journal for peer-reviewed publication; the key findings will be presented at local and international conferences with a partial or full focus on (adolescent) alcohol (mis)use. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42023452765.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tshepo A Ntho
- Nursing Science, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa
| | | | - Medwin D Sepadi
- Department of Education Studies, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa
| | - Talamo S Phochana
- SAMRC-DSI/NRF-UL SARChI Research Chair in Mental Health and Society, Faculty of Humanities, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa
| | - Tholene Sodi
- SAMRC-DSI/NRF-UL SARChI Research Chair in Mental Health and Society, Faculty of Humanities, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa
| | - Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie
- Psychology, University of Ghana College of Humanities, Accra, Ghana
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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19
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McCabe EM, Luk JW, Stangl BL, Schwandt ML, Ziausyte U, Kim H, Vergeer RR, Gunawan T, Fede SJ, Momenan R, Joseph PV, Goldman D, Diazgranados N, Ramchandani VA. Exercising healthy behaviors: A latent class analysis of positive coping during the COVID-19 pandemic and associations with alcohol-related and mental health outcomes. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297060. [PMID: 38354113 PMCID: PMC10866465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify latent classes of positive coping behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine associations with alcohol-related and mental health outcomes across participants with and without a history of alcohol use disorder (AUD). METHODS Baseline data from 463 participants who were enrolled in the NIAAA COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Alcohol (C19-PIA) Study were analyzed. Latent class analysis (LCA) was applied to five positive coping behaviors during COVID-19: taking media breaks, taking care of their body, engaging in healthy behaviors, making time to relax, and connecting with others. Latent class differences and the moderating role of history of AUD on six alcohol-related and mental health outcomes were examined using multiple regression models. RESULTS LCA revealed two latent classes: 83.4% High Positive Coping and 16.6% Low Positive Coping. Low Positive Coping was associated with higher levels of perceived stress, anxiety symptoms, and loneliness. A history of AUD was consistently associated with higher levels of alcohol-related and mental health outcomes. Significant interactions between Coping Latent Classes and history of AUD indicated that the associations of Low Positive Coping with problematic alcohol use, depressive symptoms, and drinking to cope motives were either stronger or only significant among individuals with a history of AUD. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with a history of AUD may be particularly vulnerable to depressive symptoms and alcohol-related outcomes, especially when they do not utilize positive coping strategies. The promotion of positive coping strategies is a promising avenue to address alcohol-related and mental health problems during a public health crisis and warrants future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M. McCabe
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Jeremy W. Luk
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Bethany L. Stangl
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Melanie L. Schwandt
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Ugne Ziausyte
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Hannah Kim
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Rhianna R. Vergeer
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Tommy Gunawan
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Samantha J. Fede
- Clinical NeuroImaging Research Core, Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Reza Momenan
- Clinical NeuroImaging Research Core, Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Paule V. Joseph
- Section of Sensory Science and Metabolism, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - David Goldman
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, MD, United States of America
| | - Nancy Diazgranados
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Vijay A. Ramchandani
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
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20
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Luk JW, Satre DD, Cheung R, Wong RJ, Monto A, Chen JY, Batki SL, Ostacher MJ, Snyder HR, Shui AM, Liao M, Haight CG, Khalili M. Problematic alcohol use and its impact on liver disease quality of life in a multicenter study of patients with cirrhosis. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0379. [PMID: 38315141 PMCID: PMC10843394 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Management of cirrhosis is challenging and has been complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic due to decreased access to care, increased psychological distress, and alcohol misuse. Recently, The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has broadened the definition of recovery from alcohol use disorder to include quality of life (QoL) as an indicator of recovery. This study examined the associations of alcohol-associated cirrhosis etiology and problematic drinking with liver disease QoL (LDQoL). METHODS Patients with cirrhosis (N=329) were recruited from 3 sites (63% from 2 Veterans Affairs Health Care Systems and 37% from 1 safety net hospital) serving populations that are economically or socially marginalized. Cirrhosis etiology was ascertained by chart review of medical records. Problematic drinking was defined by ≥8 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Multivariable general linear modeling adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, site, pandemic-related stress, and history of anxiety/depressive disorder were conducted. Sensitivity analyses further adjusted for indicators of liver disease severity. RESULTS Participants were on average 64.6 years old, 17% female, 58% non-White, 44% with alcohol-associated cirrhosis, and 17% with problematic drinking. Problematic drinking was significantly associated with worse LDQoL scores in the overall scale and in the memory/concentration and health distress subscales. These associations remained significant after adjusting for indicators of liver disease severity, including Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium score and decompensated cirrhosis status. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with cirrhosis, problematic drinking was associated with worse LDQoL, especially in the domains of memory/concentration and health distress. Assessment and awareness of cognitive deficits and negative emotionality within the context of cirrhosis and problematic drinking may help clinicians provide better integrated care for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy W. Luk
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Derek D. Satre
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Division of Research, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Ramsey Cheung
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Gastroenterology Section, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Robert J. Wong
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Gastroenterology Section, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Alexander Monto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Veterans Affairs San Francisco Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jennifer Y. Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zuckerberg San Francisco General, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Steven L. Batki
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs San Francisco Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michael J. Ostacher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Hannah R. Snyder
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Amy M. Shui
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Meimei Liao
- Gastroenterology Section, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Christina G. Haight
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Veterans Affairs San Francisco Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mandana Khalili
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zuckerberg San Francisco General, San Francisco, California, USA
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21
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Cook M, Critchlow N, O'Donnell R, MacLean S. Alcohol's contribution to climate change and other environmental degradation: a call for research. Health Promot Int 2024; 39:daae004. [PMID: 38305639 PMCID: PMC10836053 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daae004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. The production, distribution and consumption of many fast-moving consumer goods contribute substantially to climate change, principally through releasing greenhouse gas emissions. Here we consider just some of the ways that alcohol-already a key contributor to an array of health, social and economic burdens-exacerbates environmental harms and climate change. We explore current evidence on alcohol production as a resource- and energy-intensive process, contributing to significant environmental degradation through water usage and other carbon emission costs. We argue that the impacts of alcohol production on climate change have been minimally explored by researchers. Yet the extent of the unfolding catastrophe beholds us to consider all available ways to mitigate unnecessary emissions, including from products such as alcohol. We then turn to suggestions for a research agenda on this topic, including investigations of commercial determinants, inequalities and product advice to help consumers choose lower-carbon options. We conclude by arguing that public health researchers already have an array of methodological expertise and experience that is well placed to produce the evidence needed to inform regulation and efforts by alcohol producers and consumers to minimize their contributions to environmental harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Cook
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Plenty Road, Kingsbury Dr, Bundoora VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Nathan Critchlow
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK
| | - Rachel O'Donnell
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK
| | - Sarah MacLean
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Plenty Road, Kingsbury Dr, Bundoora VIC 3086, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, Plenty Road, Kingsbury Dr, Bundoora VIC 3086, Australia
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22
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Mojica-Perez Y, Livingston M, Pennay A, Callinan S. How did COVID-19 restrictions impact alcohol consumption in Australia? A longitudinal study. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024; 43:465-474. [PMID: 38281267 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The state of Victoria experienced more stringent public health measures than other Australian states during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated how these public health measures impacted: (i) total alcohol consumption; (ii) location-specific consumption; and (iii) consumption among different pre-pandemic drinking groups, in Victoria compared to the rest of Australia during the first year of the pandemic. METHOD A longitudinal study with six survey waves was conducted between April and December 2020. A total of 775 adults completed data on alcohol use, including detailed consumption location information. Based on their 2019 consumption, participants were classified into low, moderate or high-risk groups. Data were analysed descriptively. RESULTS There was no difference in total alcohol consumption from 2019 levels among Victorians and those from the other Australian states when Victoria was the only state in lockdown. Location-specific consumption was relatively similar for Victoria and the rest of Australia, with an increase in home drinking, and a decrease in consumption in someone else's home, licensed premises and public spaces during lockdown compared with 2019. Participants in the high-risk group reported a reduction of two standard drinks per day in November 2020 compared with 2019. In contrast, consumption remained relatively stable for participants in the low and moderate-risk groups once accounting for regression to the mean. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Contrary to expectations, restrictions on licensed premises appeared to impact high-risk drinkers more than low and moderate-risk drinkers. Reducing availability of on-premise alcohol may be an effective way to reduce consumption in heavier drinkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette Mojica-Perez
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael Livingston
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- National Drug Research Institute and enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amy Pennay
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sarah Callinan
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
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23
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Courtney JB, West AB, Russell MA, Almeida DM, Conroy DE. College Students' Day-to-Day Maladaptive Drinking Responses to Stress Severity and Stressor-Related Guilt and Anger. Ann Behav Med 2024; 58:131-143. [PMID: 37963585 DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaad065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress is a common part of college students' daily lives that may influence their physical activity (PA) and alcohol use. Understanding features of daily stress processes that predict health behaviors could help identify targets for just-in-time interventions. PURPOSE This study used intensive longitudinal data to examine whether prior day stress processes predict current day PA or alcohol use. METHODS Participants (N=58, Mage=20.5, 59% women, 70% White) were 18-to-25-year-old students who engaged in binge drinking at least twice monthly and used cannabis or tobacco in the past year. They wore activity (activPAL4) and alcohol (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) monitors for 11 days to assess daily PA (e.g., step counts) and alcohol use (e.g., drinking day), and completed daily surveys about yesterday's stress, including number of stressors (i.e., frequency), stressor intensity (i.e., severity), and frequency of affective states (e.g., guilt). Multilevel models examined prior day stress predicting current day PA or alcohol use. RESULTS Participants had higher odds of current day drinking (odds ratio=1.21) and greater area under the curve (B=0.08) when they experienced greater than usual stress severity the prior day. Participants had higher current day peak transdermal alcohol concentration (B=0.12) and area under the curve (B=0.11) when they more frequently experienced guilt due to stressors the prior day. CONCLUSIONS College students' unhealthy response of increasing alcohol use due to stress could adversely impact health outcomes. There is a critical need for interventions addressing students' ability to effectively manage and respond to the stress-inducing, daily demands of student life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimikaye B Courtney
- Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Ashley B West
- Lirio, LLC, Knoxville and Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Michael A Russell
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - David M Almeida
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - David E Conroy
- Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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24
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Miller AP, Appa A, Muyindike W, Fatch R, Kekibiina A, Beesiga B, Adong J, Emenyonu N, Marson K, Getahun M, Kamya M, Chamie G, Camlin CS, Hahn JA. A Qualitative Exploration of Intimate Partner Violence Among HIV/TB Coinfected Persons With Problematic Alcohol Use Participating in an Incentive-Based Alcohol/Medication Adherence Intervention in Uganda During COVID-19. Violence Against Women 2024:10778012231225229. [PMID: 38196278 DOI: 10.1177/10778012231225229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
In Uganda, four in ten women report experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) in the past year. Salient drivers of IPV in sub-Saharan Africa include stress related to household finances, alcohol use, and partner infidelity. We conducted 42 interviews with participants (n = 32) in the Drinkers' Intervention to Prevent Tuberculosis (DIPT) study which included economic incentives, and their partners (n = 10) to understand how participating in DIPT during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions impacted relationship dynamics in intimate partnerships. Our findings highlight the need to develop policies to address root causes of IPV and to ensure continuity of IPV services in future pandemics. Policy and programming recommendations based on study results are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda P Miller
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ayesha Appa
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Winnie Muyindike
- Global Health Collaborative, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Robin Fatch
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Allen Kekibiina
- Global Health Collaborative, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Brian Beesiga
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Julian Adong
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Nneka Emenyonu
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kara Marson
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Monica Getahun
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Moses Kamya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Gabriel Chamie
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Carol S Camlin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Judith A Hahn
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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25
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Petrova EV, Mikulyak NI, Sorokina LA, Sorokin IA. [Trends in the incidence of mental and behavioral disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in Penza Oblast]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2024; 124:129-134. [PMID: 38465821 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2024124021129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE An analysis of the trend of overall and primary incidence of mental and behavioral disorders, including those caused by the use of psychoactive substances, in different age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic in Penza Oblast. MATERIAL AND METHODS The data were obtained from statistical report №12 for Penza Oblast. These included the overall and primary incidence of mental and behavioral disorders (MBD), as well as substance use-related MBD (MBDSUR), as calculated per 100.000 people for the period 2015 to 2022. The period 2015 to 2019 was the reference period and 2020 to 2022 was the pandemic period. The calculation was carried out by age groups: children (0-14 years), adolescents (15-17 years), adults (over 18 years), adults over working age (from 55 years for women and from 60 years for men). Statistical processing of the results included regression analysis, calculation of incidence forecast for 2023-2025, and assessment of the significance of the changes using the t-criterion. RESULTS The decrease in the overall incidence of MBD in adults was highly deterministic (R2=0.82; p=0.012) and significant between 2017-2018 (p=0.009), 2018-2019 (p=0.001) and 2019-2020 (p=0.004). High determination with a logarithmic trend line was characteristic of almost all models, except for the primary incidence of MBD in children and overall incidence of MBDSUR in adults over working age, including after 2020. Among adolescents, the overall incidence of MBDSUR decreased significantly from 2015 to 2022 (p=0.042). CONCLUSION There was no significant increase in the incidence of MBD, including MBDURS, during the pandemic. At the same time, there was a trend towards the decrease in adults, as well as the increase in the primary incidence of MBD in children and the overall incidence of MBDSUR in adults over working age, which determines the need for further identification of risk factors and development of specific rehabilitation measures for patients in these groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- E V Petrova
- Penza State University Medical Institute of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, Penza, Russia
| | - N I Mikulyak
- Penza State University Medical Institute of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, Penza, Russia
| | - L A Sorokina
- Penza State University Medical Institute of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, Penza, Russia
- Evgrafov Regional Psychiatric Hospital, Penza, Russia
| | - I A Sorokin
- Penza State University Medical Institute of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, Penza, Russia
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26
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Dominik Güss C, Boyd L, Perniciaro K, Free DC, Free J, Teresa Tuason M. The politics of COVID-19: Differences between U.S. red and blue states in COVID-19 regulations and deaths. HEALTH POLICY OPEN 2023; 5:100107. [PMID: 38034472 PMCID: PMC10684792 DOI: 10.1016/j.hpopen.2023.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The study investigated infection variables and control strategies in 2020 and 2021 and their influence on COVID-19 deaths in the United States, with a particular focus on comparing red (Republican) and blue (Democratic) states. The analysis reviewed cumulative COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 by year, state political affiliation, and a priori latent factor groupings of mitigation strategies (lockdown days in 2020, mask mandate days, vaccination rates), social demographic variables (ethnicity, poverty rate), and biological variables (median age, obesity). Analyses first identified possible relationships between all assessed variables using K-means clustering for red, blue, and purple states. Then, a series of regression models were fit to assess the effects of mitigation strategies, social, and biological factors specifically on COVID-19 deaths in red and blue states. Results showed distinct differences in responding to COVID infections between red states to blue states, particularly the red states lessor adoption of mitigation factors leaving more sway on biological factors in predicting deaths. Whereas in blue states, where mitigation factors were more readily implemented, vaccinations had a more significant influence in reducing the probability of infections ending in death. Overall, study findings suggest politicalization of COVID-19 mitigation strategies played a role in death rates across the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Dominik Güss
- Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Lauren Boyd
- Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Kelly Perniciaro
- Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Danielle C. Free
- Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - J.R. Free
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Ma. Teresa Tuason
- Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States
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27
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Levitt EE, Belisario K, Gillard J, DeJesus J, Gohari MR, Leatherdale ST, Syan SK, Scarfe M, MacKillop J. High-resolution examination of changes in drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic: Nine-wave findings from a longitudinal observational cohort study of community adults. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 168:249-255. [PMID: 37922599 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Few multi-wave longitudinal studies have examined changes in drinking across extended periods of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Using multiple indicators over three years, the current study examined: a) overall drinking changes; b) sex, income, age, and pre-COVID drinking level as moderators of changes; and c) the clinical significance of the observed changes. Using a longitudinal observational cohort design with nonclinical adults from the general community (N = 1395), assessments were collected over nine waves, two pre-COVID (April 2019 and October 2019) and seven intra-COVID (April 2020-April 2022). Drinking was measured as percent drinking days, percent heavy drinking days, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score. Clinically significant changes were defined based on the World Health Organization risk levels. All indicators exhibited significant changes from pre-pandemic to intra-pandemic periods, with drinking changes comprising early pandemic increases followed by subsequent decreases and AUDIT scores consistently declining. Pre-pandemic drinking level substantially moderated all changes. Heavier drinkers exhibited larger decreases compared to other drinking groups. In terms of clinically important changes, ∼10% of pre-pandemic abstinent or low-risk drinkers transitioned to medium- or high-risk status during the pandemic. In contrast, 37.1% of medium-risk drinkers and 44.6% of high-risk drinkers exhibited clinically significant decreases during the intra-pandemic period. Collectively, these findings highlight the multifarious impacts of the pandemic on drinking over time, comprising both increases and decreases in drinking behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Levitt
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University & St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Kyla Belisario
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University & St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessica Gillard
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University & St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jane DeJesus
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University & St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mahmood R Gohari
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University & St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Scott T Leatherdale
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Sabrina K Syan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Molly Scarfe
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University & St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - James MacKillop
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University & St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
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28
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Braitman AL, Ayala Guzman R, Strowger M, Shipley JL, Glenn DJ, Junkin E, Whiteside A, Lau-Barraco C. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic experiences on college drinking via mental distress: Cross-sectional mediation moderated by race. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:2313-2330. [PMID: 38085122 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to stress, anxiety, and depression among college students, with heightened distress tied to greater drinking for some individuals. Emerging research suggests that these associations may differ across race, but few studies use adequate samples to examine this, particularly among college students, an at-risk population for both heavy drinking and mental distress. Specifically, pandemic-related stressors and mental distress may be higher among Black students than White students. The current study examined: (1) whether mental distress cross-sectionally mediates the association between pandemic-specific stressors and drinking and (2) whether race (Black or White) moderates these associations. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey of 400 college drinkers (43% White, 28% Black) in fall 2020 assessed pandemic-related stressors (e.g., losing a job, contracting COVID-19, changed living situation), mental distress (stress, anxiety, depression), and drinking (past-month drinking, perceived changes since the start of the pandemic). RESULTS Cross-sectional mediation models indicated that financial stressors and social distancing were linked to greater quantity and frequency of past-month drinking through greater mental distress. For perceived changes in drinking, only financial stressors were linked to drinking greater quantities and drinking more often (compared to pre-pandemic levels) via mental distress. Moderated mediation models among students identifying as White or Black revealed that changed living situation was a robust stressor across race. Financial stressors and social distancing were linked with greater distress only among White students, whereas essential worker status was a protective factor against distress only among Black students. CONCLUSIONS Select stressors were linked to increased drinking through greater mental distress, with differential risks across Black versus White students. Findings suggest campus administrators should focus on connecting students with resources (e.g., counseling centers and health promotion offices) during times of distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby L Braitman
- Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
- Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Megan Strowger
- Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
| | - Jennifer L Shipley
- Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
| | - Douglas J Glenn
- Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
- Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
| | - Emily Junkin
- Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
- Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Cathy Lau-Barraco
- Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
- Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
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29
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Drabble LA, Munroe C, Cerezo A, Hughes TL. COVID-19 Concerns, Coping and Perceived Peer Norms: Correlates of Increased Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among Sexual Minority Women. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2023:1-21. [PMID: 37976208 PMCID: PMC11098966 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2023.2283835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
This study explored the impact of COVID-related concerns and other characteristics on alcohol and marijuana use among sexual minority women (SMW). Survey data from a racially/ethnically diverse sample of 338 SMW participants in the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women (CHLEW) study were used to examine correlates of three substance use outcomes: frequent intoxication (once a month or more), perceived increase in alcohol use, and perceived increase in marijuana use. Coping motives for alcohol use was positively associated with each of the substance use outcomes. Belief that peers (in terms of age, sexual identity, and gender) used alcohol often to cope was associated with higher odds of frequent intoxication. COVID-19 related financial concerns were positively associated with both frequent intoxication and increased marijuana use. Health and mental health concerns were associated with lower odds of frequent intoxication. Findings underscore the importance of enhancing coping skills, addressing perceived peer coping norms, and providing both economic and social support in intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie A Drabble
- College of Health and Human Sciences, San José State University, San José, California, USA
| | - Cat Munroe
- Public Health Institute, Alcohol Research Group, Alcohol Research Group, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Alison Cerezo
- Dept. of Counseling, Clinical & School Psychology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Tonda L Hughes
- Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research, School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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30
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Luk JW, Geda DW, Stangl BL, Cheng C, Schwandt ML, Goldman D, Diazgranados N, Ramchandani VA. Social media addiction as a mediator of the associations between fear of COVID-19, mental health symptoms, and problematic alcohol use. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1268890. [PMID: 38034930 PMCID: PMC10682110 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1268890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fear of COVID-19 is a risk factor for anxiety and depressive symptoms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, drinking to cope with psychological distress has been proposed as a key mechanism leading to problematic drinking. The goal of this study was to test social media addiction as a mediator linking fear of COVID-19 to mental health symptoms and problematic alcohol use. Methods In between April 6 and July 2 of 2022, 250 participants completed an online survey as part of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Alcohol Study. Path analyses were conducted to test the mediational pathways. Results Using the polythetic classification scheme, 13.2% (n = 33) of participants were classified as having social media addiction. Compared with participants without social media addiction, participants with social media addiction spent significantly more time on social media platforms and on digital communications with a family member or friend. They also reported greater fear of COVID-19, higher anxiety symptoms, and higher depressive symptoms. Path analyses indicated that social media addiction mediated the associations of fear of COVID-19 with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, there were indirect pathways linking fear of COVID-19 to problematic alcohol use through higher social media addiction and higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Conclusion Social media addiction may be a maladaptive coping mechanism that individuals with high fear of COVID-19 utilized to deal with uncertainty and perceived risks during the pandemic. Findings underscore the need to examine cognitions related to fear of COVID-19 and address excessive social media use in the context of mental health and alcohol interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy W. Luk
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Daniel W. Geda
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Bethany L. Stangl
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Cecilia Cheng
- Social and Health Psychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Melanie L. Schwandt
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - David Goldman
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Nancy Diazgranados
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Vijay A. Ramchandani
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
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31
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Pankowski D, Wytrychiewicz-Pankowska K, Kiedik D, Fal AM. Navigating the Shifts: Retrospective Analysis of Alcohol Consumption and its Predictors Across Pre-Pandemic, Lockdown, and Post-Pandemic Eras in Poland. Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940768. [PMID: 37933093 PMCID: PMC10638860 DOI: 10.12659/msm.940768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol consumption is a serious health risk that affects both physical and mental health. It is one of the major risk factors in the development of non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of alcohol consumption patterns, determine of predictors of alcohol addiction, and attempt to distinguish and compare the profiles of participants differentiated in terms of their preferences in the pre-pandemic, lockdown, and post-pandemic periods. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted with a computer-assisted web interview on a representative sample of Polish citizens. Primary outcomes were sociodemographic and COVID-19-related variables, preferences regarding the type and location of consumed alcohol, reasons for drinking, severity of addiction symptoms, loneliness, quality of life, and health level. RESULTS During the lockdown period, the percentage of people declaring abstinence increased, as well as people who, according to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) cut-off points, could be diagnosed with probable alcohol dependence. The strongest predictors of the severity of addiction symptoms were preferences regarding the type and place of alcohol consumption, with a high percentage of explained variance (>50%). The analysis of profiles differentiated in terms of the preferred type of alcohol consumed allowed for the identification of 7 different profiles, which differed in terms of AUDIT score, loneliness, quality of life, and level of health. CONCLUSIONS Patterns of alcohol consumption changed during the pandemic. Alcohol-related preferences are important from the public health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pankowski
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Polish Society of Public Health, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Dorota Kiedik
- Polish Society of Public Health, Wrocław, Poland
- Department of Public Health, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Andrzej Mariusz Fal
- Polish Society of Public Health, Wrocław, Poland
- Department of Public Health, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
- Collegium Medicum Cardinal Wyszýnski University, Warsaw, Poland
- Central Clinical Hospital, Ministry of Interior, Warsaw, Poland
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Trangenstein PJ, Greenfield TK, Karriker-Jaffe KJ, Kerr WC. Beverage- and Context-Specific Alcohol Consumption During COVID-19 in the United States: The Role of Alcohol To-Go and Delivery Purchases. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2023; 84:842-851. [PMID: 37449953 PMCID: PMC10765975 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.22-00408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alcohol delivery and to-go sales may contribute to changes in drinking patterns, including where and what people drink. This study tested whether home delivery and to-go alcohol purchases were associated with context- and beverage-specific consumption volumes during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic after adjusting for pre-pandemic consumption volumes. METHOD Data from a pre-pandemic panel were compared to a during-pandemic panel of the National Alcohol Survey (n = 1,150 adult drinkers, 52.7% female). Outcomes were past-year alcohol consumption volumes in standard drinks (overall, by beverage type, and by location). Independent variables included past-year alcohol delivery and to-go purchases (separately). Covariates comprised baseline beverage- or context-specific volume, demographics, COVID-19 impacts, and drinking motivations. Negative binomial regression tested associations between alcohol purchases and change in overall, beverage-, and context-specific consumption. RESULTS On average, respondents who had alcohol delivered (vs. not) reported consuming larger volumes overall (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.58, 95% CI [1.07, 2.32], p = .02), of wine (IRR = 2.90, 95% CI [1.50, 5.63], p < .04), of spirits (IRR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.03, 2.44], p = .04), and at home (IRR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.10, 2.31], p = .01). People who bought alcohol to go (vs. not) reported larger volumes of wine (IRR = 1.41, 95% CI [1.02, 1.96], p = .04), at home (IRR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.10, 2.32], p = .01), and in bars (IRR = 4.55, 95% CI [2.55, 8.11], p < .001). Finally, people who had alcohol delivered reported drinking smaller volumes in bars (IRR = 0.49, 95% CI [0.24, 0.98], p = .04). CONCLUSIONS During the first year of the pandemic, adults who had alcohol delivered or bought it to go reported larger volumes for several locations and beverage types.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katherine J. Karriker-Jaffe
- RTI International, Center for Behavioral Health Epidemiology, Implementation & Evaluation Research, Berkeley, California
| | - William C. Kerr
- Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Emeryville, California
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Beesiga B, Marson K, Fatch R, Emenyonu NI, Adong J, Kekibiina A, Puryear S, Lodi S, McDonell MG, Muyindike WR, Kamya MR, Hahn JA, Chamie G. Effects of a COVID-19 Public Health Lockdown on Drinking and Health Behavior Among Persons with HIV and with Unhealthy Alcohol use in Uganda. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:3213-3222. [PMID: 37000383 PMCID: PMC10063928 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04042-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
To better understand the impact of Uganda's initial COVID-19 lockdown on alcohol use, we conducted a cross-sectional survey (August 2020-September 2021) among persons with HIV (PWH) with unhealthy alcohol use (but not receiving an alcohol intervention), enrolled in a trial of incentives to reduce alcohol use and improve isoniazid preventive therapy. We examined associations between bar-based drinking and decreased alcohol use, and decreased alcohol use and health outcomes (antiretroviral therapy [ART] access, ART adherence, missed clinic visits, psychological stress and intimate partner violence), during lockdown. Of 178 adults surveyed whose data was analyzed, (67% male, median age: 40), 82% reported bar-based drinking at trial enrollment; 76% reported decreased alcohol use during lockdown. In a multivariate analysis, bar-based drinking was not associated with greater decreases in alcohol use during lockdown compared to non-bar-based drinking (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.31-2.11), adjusting for age and sex. There was a significant association between decreased alcohol use and increased stress during lockdown (adjusted β = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.07-3.11, P < 0.010), but not other health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Beesiga
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Kara Marson
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robin Fatch
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nneka I Emenyonu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julian Adong
- Global Health Collaborative, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Allen Kekibiina
- Global Health Collaborative, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Sarah Puryear
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sara Lodi
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael G McDonell
- Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Winnie R Muyindike
- Global Health Collaborative, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Moses R Kamya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Judith A Hahn
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gabriel Chamie
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA.
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Moskatel LS, Slusky DJG. The impact of COVID-19 on alcohol sales and consumption in the United States: A retrospective, observational analysis. Alcohol 2023; 111:25-31. [PMID: 37230334 PMCID: PMC10202895 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on alcohol sales and consumption is critical in mitigating alcohol abuse and morbidity. We sought to determine how the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in viral incidence affected alcohol sales and consumption in the United States. We conducted a retrospective observational analysis regressing National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) alcohol sales data and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data for 14 states for 2017 to 2020 with COVID-19 incidence in 2020 in the United States. The onset of the pandemic was associated with higher monthly alcohol sales per capita of 1.99 standard drinks (95% Confidence Interval: 0.63 to 3.34, p = 0.007). Increases of one COVID-19 case per 100 were associated with lower monthly alcohol sales per capita of 2.98 standard drinks (95% CI: -4.47 to -1.48, p = 0.001) as well as broad decreases in alcohol consumption, notably 0.17 fewer days per month with alcohol use (95% CI: -0.31 to -0.23, p = 0.008) and 0.14 fewer days per month of binge drinking (95% CI: -0.23 to -0.052, p < 0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increased monthly average alcohol purchases, but higher viral incidence is linked to lower alcohol purchases and consumption. Continued monitoring is needed to mitigate the effects of higher population alcohol use during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon S Moskatel
- Department of Neurology, Stanford Health Care, Palo Alto, CA, United States.
| | - David J G Slusky
- Department of Economics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States; National Bureau of Economics Research, Cambridge, MA, United States; IZA Institute of Labor Economics, Bonn, Germany
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Carver H, Ciolompea T, Conway A, Kilian C, McDonald R, Meksi A, Wojnar M. Substance use disorders and COVID-19: reflections on international research and practice changes during the "poly-crisis". Front Public Health 2023; 11:1201967. [PMID: 37529435 PMCID: PMC10390069 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1201967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionately high toll on vulnerable populations, coinciding with increased prevalence of alcohol-and drug-related deaths and pre-existing societal issues such as rising income inequality and homelessness. This poly-crisis has posed unique challenges to service delivery for people with substance use disorders, and innovative approaches have emerged. In this Perspectives paper we reflect on the poly-crisis and the changes to research and practice for those experiencing substance use disorders, following work undertaken as part of the InterGLAM project (part of the 2022. Lisbon Addictions conference). The authors, who were part of an InterGLAM working group, identified a range of creative and novel responses by gathering information from conference attendees about COVID-19-related changes to substance use disorder treatment in their countries. In this paper we describe these responses across a range of countries, focusing on changes to telehealth, provision of medications for opioid use disorder and alcohol harm reduction, as well as changes to how research was conducted. Implications include better equity in access to technology and secure data systems; increased prescribed safer supply in countries where this currently does not exist; flexible provision of medication for opioid use disorder; scale up of alcohol harm reduction for people with alcohol use disorders; greater involvement of people with lived/living experience in research; and additional support for research in low- and middle-income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the addictions field and there are lessons for ongoing and emerging crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Carver
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | - Teodora Ciolompea
- Drug Addiction Evaluation and Treatment Center, Saint Stelian, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anna Conway
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carolin Kilian
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca McDonald
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andia Meksi
- National Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - Marcin Wojnar
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Jackson SE, Guo X, Holmes J, Brown J. Trends in Public Awareness and Knowledge of Drinking Guidelines: a Representative Population Survey in England, 2016-2022. Alcohol Alcohol 2023; 58:415-425. [PMID: 36756933 PMCID: PMC10331929 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agad007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To examine trends in public awareness and knowledge of drinking guidelines in the UK since their revision in 2016, which had moved from a daily to a weekly guideline, made the guideline the same for men and women, and reduced the guideline for men by around one-third. METHOD Data were from a representative, repeat cross-sectional survey. We analysed changes in awareness and knowledge of drinking guidelines among 8168 adult drinkers between 2016 and 2022 and associations with sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status and level of alcohol consumption. RESULTS The proportion of drinkers aware of guidelines declined from 86.0% (95%CI 84.0-88.0%) in 2016 to 81.7% (79.5-84.0%) in 2019, then increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, peaking at 91.6% (90.1-93.1%) in 2020. The proportion who correctly identified the guideline as a maximum of exactly 14 units/week remained at around a quarter from 2016 (25.0%, 22.4-27.5%) to 2018 (25.8%, 23.2-28.3%), whereas the proportion who gave a figure of 14 units or fewer rose from 52.1 (49.2-55.0%) to 57.4% (54.6-60.3%). However, by 2022, guideline knowledge had worsened significantly, with these figures falling to 19.7 (17.4-21.9%) and 46.5% (43.6-49.4%), respectively. Changes over time were similar across subgroups. Odds of guideline awareness and knowledge were higher among drinkers who were aged ≥35, female, more educated and from more advantaged social grades. CONCLUSIONS The majority of adult drinkers in the UK are aware of low-risk drinking guidelines. However, 6 years since their announcement, knowledge of the revised drinking guidelines remains poor. Less than a quarter know the recommended weekly limit and only around half think it is 14 units or less. Inequalities have persisted over time, such that disadvantaged groups remain less likely to know the guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Jackson
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- SPECTRUM Consortium, UK
| | - Xiaotang Guo
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - John Holmes
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DE, UK
| | - Jamie Brown
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- SPECTRUM Consortium, UK
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Holland AL, Sharma P, Kurani S, Pazdernik V, Patten C, Kremers HM, Croarkin P, Kamath C, Glasgow A, Sangaralingham L, Geske J, Prasad K, St Sauver J. Longitudinal factors associated with increased alcohol consumption in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2023; 49:481-490. [PMID: 36880708 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2176236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Background: Alcohol is the most abused substance among adults in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted patterns of alcohol use, but data are conflicting, and previous studies are largely limited to cross-sectional analyses.Objective: This study aimed to longitudinally assess sociodemographic and psychological correlates of changes in three patterns of alcohol use (number of alcoholic drinks, drinking regularity, and binge drinking) during COVID-19.Methods: We studied changes in self-reported drinking behaviors in 222,195 Mayo Clinic patients over 21 years of age (58.1% female and 41.9% male) between April 1, 2019, and March 30, 2021. Logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between patient characteristics and change in alcohol consumption.Results: Sociodemographically younger age, White race, having a college degree, and living in a rural area were associated with increased alcohol use regularity (all p < .05). Younger age, male, White, high-school education or less, living in a more deprived neighborhood, smoking, and living in a rural area were associated with increases in number of alcohol drinks (all p ≤ .04) and binge drinking (all p ≤ .01). Increased anxiety scores were associated with increased number of drinks, while depression severity was associated with both increased drinking regularity and increased number of drinks (all p ≤ .02) independent of sociodemographic characteristics.Conclusion: Our study showed that both sociodemographic and psychological characteristics were associated with increased alcohol consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study highlights specific target groups previously not described in the literature for alcohol interventions based on sociodemographic and psychological characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L Holland
- Department Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI, USA
| | - Pravesh Sharma
- Department Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI, USA
- Mayo Clinic, Behavioral Health Research Program Psychiatry and Psychology, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Shaheen Kurani
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Vanessa Pazdernik
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Christi Patten
- Mayo Clinic, Behavioral Health Research Program Psychiatry and Psychology, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Paul Croarkin
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Celia Kamath
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Amy Glasgow
- Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Jennifer Geske
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Kavita Prasad
- Department of Primary Care, Zumbro Valley Health Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jennifer St Sauver
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Trangenstein PJ, Karriker-Jaffe KJ, Greenfield TK, Kerr WC. Characteristics associated with buying alcohol to-go and for delivery during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic among a national sample of US adults. Drug Alcohol Rev 2023; 42:1252-1263. [PMID: 37165791 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study: (i) determined the population coverage of alcohol delivery and to-go/carryout policies (i.e., policies permitting bars/restaurants to sell individual drinks for off-site consumption) in 2019 and 2020; and (ii) identified characteristics associated with alcohol delivery and to-go purchases. METHODS Data are from the National Alcohol Survey and Alcohol Policy Information System (n = 1677 adults, 52.1% female). Population coverage models summed state populations across state-level bar/restaurant delivery and to-go/carryout policies by beverage. Regression outcomes were past-year alcohol delivery and to-go purchases. Independent variables included demographics, excessive drinking, COVID-19 impacts and state COVID-19 bar/restaurant alcohol laws. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression models tested associations between delivery/to-go purchases and independent variables. RESULTS Overall, 7.5% of adults had alcohol delivered and 14.5% bought alcohol to-go. From December 2019 to December 2020, the number of people living in states allowing beer/wine/spirits delivery (284%) and to-go sales (627%) rose steeply. People who were Black (vs. White; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.92, p < 0.001), excessive drinkers (vs. non-excessive drinkers; aOR 2.06, p < 0.001) or lived in states allowing beer/wine/spirits to-go sales (aOR 2.20, p = 0.01) had higher odds of buying alcohol to-go. Conversely, older people had lower odds of buying alcohol to-go (aOR 0.97, p < 0.001). People with some college or more (vs. high school degree or less, aOR 2.21, p < 0.001) and a higher economic burden (vs. fewer COVID-19 impacts, aOR 2.32, p = 0.05) had higher odds of alcohol delivery. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS A select sub-population defined by socioeconomic status, race, excessive drinking and state policies bought alcohol for delivery or to-go in the Unites States.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katherine J Karriker-Jaffe
- Center for Behavioral Health Epidemiology, Implementation and Evaluation Research, RTI International, Berkeley, USA
| | | | - William C Kerr
- Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Emeryville, USA
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Graupensperger S, Calhoun BH, Fleming CB, Lee CM. Trends in Young Adult Alcohol and Cannabis Use Through the First 1.5 Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic From a Community Cohort Sample. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2023; 84:489-498. [PMID: 36971770 PMCID: PMC10488305 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.22-00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There has been concern regarding increased substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among young adults, but much of this concern stemmed from cross-sectional or short-term data collected early in the pandemic. This study followed a young adult community cohort throughout the first 1.5 years of the pandemic to examine longer-term trends/trajectories in alcohol and cannabis use behaviors. METHOD Beginning before the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2020), 656 young adults completed up to eight surveys on substance use and other behaviors, which extended through August 2021. Multilevel spline growth models estimated changes in alcohol/cannabis use in three segments: (a) from pre-pandemic to April 2020, (b) from April 2020 to September/October 2020, and (c) from September/October 2020 to July/August 2021. Abstainers were removed from the analyses, yielding subsamples for alcohol models (n = 545; M age = 25.6 years; 59.8% female) and cannabis models (n = 303; M age = 25.6; 61.4% female). RESULTS Drinking frequency initially increased (3% per month), decreased in the second segment (4% per month), and plateaued in the final segment. Drinking quantity significantly decreased in all three segments: 4% per month in segment one, 3% per month in segment two, and 1% per month in the final segment. Cannabis frequency and quantity showed no significant changes across the first two segments, then significantly decreased in the final segment (3% and 6% per month, respectively). The significant changes for cannabis frequency/quantity were moderated by age, such that older participants had steeper decreases in the final segment. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight that young adult alcohol and cannabis use generally declined across the first 1.5 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, contrary to widespread concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Graupensperger
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Brian H. Calhoun
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Charles B. Fleming
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Christine M. Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Manthey J, Kilian C, Schäfer I, Wirth M, Schulte B. Changes in the alcohol-specific disease burden during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: interrupted time series analyses. Eur J Public Health 2023:ckad103. [PMID: 37365723 PMCID: PMC10393477 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has been linked to changes in alcohol consumption, access to healthcare services and alcohol-attributable harm. In this contribution, we quantify changes in alcohol-specific mortality and hospitalizations at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 in Germany. METHODS We obtained monthly counts of deaths and hospital discharges between January 2013 and December 2020 (n = 96 months). Alcohol-specific (International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision codes: F10.X; G31.2, G62.1, G72.1, I42.6, K29.2, K70.X, K85.2, K86.0, Q86.0, T51.X) diagnoses were further split into codes reflective of acute vs. chronic harm from alcohol consumption. To quantify the change in alcohol-specific deaths and hospital discharges, we performed sex-stratified interrupted time series analyses using generalized additive mixed models for the population aged 45-74. Immediate (step) and cumulative (slope) changes were considered. RESULTS Following March 2020, we observed immediate increases in alcohol-specific mortality among women but not among men. Between the years of 2019 and 2020, we estimate that alcohol-specific mortality among women has increased by 10.8%. Hospital discharges were analyzed separately for acute and chronic conditions. The total number of hospital discharges fell by 21.4% and 25.1% for acute alcohol-specific conditions for women and men, respectively. The total number of hospital discharges for chronic alcohol-specific conditions fell by 7.4% and 8.1% for women and men, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Increased consumption among people with heavy drinking patterns and reduced utilization of addiction-specific healthcare services during the pandemic might explain excess mortality. During times of public health crises, access to addiction-specific services needs to be ensured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Manthey
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carolin Kilian
- Institute of Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ingo Schäfer
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marielle Wirth
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Schulte
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
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Alpers SE, Pallesen S, Vold JH, Haug E, Lunde LH, Skogen JC, Mamen A, Mæland S, Fadnes LT. The association between psychological distress and alcohol consumption and physical activity: a population-based cohort study. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1181046. [PMID: 37426109 PMCID: PMC10323831 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1181046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic and infection control measures caused changes to daily life for most people. Heavy alcohol consumption and physical inactivity are two important behavioral risk factors for noncommunicable diseases worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its social distancing measures, home office policies, isolation, and quarantine requirements may have an impact on these factors. This three-wave longitudinal study aims to investigate if psychological distress and worries related to health and economy were associated with levels and changes in alcohol consumption and physical activity during the two first years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway. Methods We used data collected in April 2020, January 2021, and January 2022 from an online longitudinal population-based survey. Alcohol consumption and physical activity status were assessed at all three measuring points via the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-C) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). COVID-19-related worries, home office/study, occupational situation, age, gender, children below 18 years living at home, and psychological distress (measured with the Symptom Checklist (SCL-10)) were included as independent variables in the model. A mixed model regression was used and presented with coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Analysis of data from 25,708 participants demonstrates that participants with substantial symptoms of psychological distress more often reported higher alcohol consumption (1.86 units/week, CI 1.48-2.24) and lower levels of physical activity [-1,043 Metabolic Equivalents of Task (METs) per week, CI -1,257;-828] at baseline. Working/studying from home (0.37 units/week, CI 0.24-0.50) and being male (1.57 units/week, CI 1.45-1.69) were associated with higher alcohol consumption. Working/studying from home (-536 METs/week, CI -609;-463), and being older than 70 years (-503 METs/week, CI -650;-355) were related to lower levels of physical activity. The differences in activity levels between those with the highest and lowest levels of psychological distress reduced over time (239 METs/week, CI 67;412), and similarly the differences in alcohol intake reduced over time among those having and not having children < 18 years (0.10 units/week, CI 0.01-0.19). Conclusion These findings highlight the substantial increases in risks related to inactivity and alcohol consumption among those with high levels of psychological distress symptoms, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and increase the understanding of factors associated with worries and health behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Eiken Alpers
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ståle Pallesen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Optentia Research Focus Area, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
| | - Jørn Henrik Vold
- Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ellen Haug
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Teacher Education, NLA University College, Bergen, Norway
| | - Linn-Heidi Lunde
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jens Christoffer Skogen
- Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway
- Alcohol and Drug Research Western Norway, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
- Centre for Evaluation of Public Health Measures, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Asgeir Mamen
- School of Health Sciences, Kristiania University College, Oslo, Norway
| | - Silje Mæland
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Thore Fadnes
- Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Sharma P, Nguyen QA, Kurani S, Holland A, Maradit Kremers H, Pazdernik V, St. Sauver J, Croarkin P, Kamath C, Geske J, Prasad K, Glasgow A, Sangaralingham L, Patten C. Association of socio-demographic characteristics with alcohol use initiation among never users during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study. J Public Health (Oxf) 2023; 45:442-449. [PMID: 36194073 PMCID: PMC9619617 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdac099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this longitudinal cohort study, we examined the socio-demographic and psychological predictors of alcohol use initiation during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of never alcohol users aged ≥21 prior to COVID-19. METHODS Our study population consisted of 56 930 patients aged ≥21, as of 30 March 2019 were collected from a pre-COVID period of 1 year before 31 March 2020, and during-COVID, a period between 1 April 2020 and 30 March 2021. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to examine the roles of socio-demographic variables (gender, age, education, Area Deprivation Index and rural residence) changes in anxiety and depression severity as predictors of alcohol use initiation. RESULTS Age, gender, race, ethnicity, education and rural status were significant predictors in multivariable analysis. A subgroup analysis showed neither anxiety nor depression had a significant association with alcohol use initiation. CONCLUSION Women, younger individuals, those living in a rural area and people who smoke cigarettes were more likely to initiate alcohol use during the pandemic. Our study has public health and clinical implications such as the need for targeted alcohol use screening and intervention for vulnerable individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravesh Sharma
- Behavioral Health Research Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
- Department Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA
| | - Quang Anh Nguyen
- Behavioral Health Research Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
- Luther College, Decorah, IA 52101, USA
| | - Shaheen Kurani
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Ashley Holland
- Department Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA
| | | | - Vanessa Pazdernik
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 22902, USA
| | - Jennifer St. Sauver
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 22902, USA
| | - Paul Croarkin
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Celia Kamath
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 22902, USA
| | - Jennifer Geske
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 22902, USA
| | - Kavita Prasad
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zumbro Valley Health Center, Rochester, MN, 55904, USA
| | - Amy Glasgow
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Lindsey Sangaralingham
- Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Christi Patten
- Behavioral Health Research Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
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Magri TD, Meshesha LZ, Dvorak RD, Abrantes AM. Impact of COVID-19's Economic Burden on Alcohol-Related Problems: An Indirect Effect of Depression, Stress, and Anxiety. TRANSLATIONAL ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:149-159. [PMID: 37867619 PMCID: PMC10586514 DOI: 10.1037/tps0000340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in global monumental upheaval. Many people were displaced from their jobs and sources of income. COVID-19 was also linked to increased mental health difficulties and increased alcohol consumption and problems. The current study aims to identify the indirect effect of depression, stress, and anxiety on the relations between the economic burden of COVID-19 and alcohol problems. Participants (N = 344) were recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Participants completed a questionnaire about substance use, mood, and the economic burden of COVID-19. Eligible participants were 18 years or older, consumed alcohol or cannabis within the past week, and verified through Amazon. Results indicated significant indirect effects of depression, stress, and anxiety on the association between the economic burden of COVID-19 and alcohol problems regardless of use. Findings revealed large effect sizes, suggesting that mental health symptomatology may have a large impact on the association between COVID-19's economic burden and alcohol-related problems. Findings suggest mental health difficulties indirectly effect the association between COVID-19's economic burden and alcohol-related problems. Intervention efforts targeting mental health may be beneficial in reducing alcohol problems among individuals experiencing distress due to large-scale public health impact, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ana M. Abrantes
- Butler Hospital, Behavioral Medicine and Addictions Research, Alpert Medical School of Brown University
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Shrestha NR, Vrotsos K, Fajardo DR, Baumann MR, Howard KJ, Perrotte JK. Pathways between Adverse Change in Employment and Alcohol Use among U.S. Women during a Global Pandemic: The Moderating Role of Conformity to Masculine Norms. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:1177-1186. [PMID: 37259841 PMCID: PMC10289011 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2212059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined changes in reported alcohol use among women during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and the relations to adverse changes in employment (e.g. job loss, furlough, reduced pay). Further, this study assessed how the relation between changes in alcohol use and experiencing an adverse change in employment was moderated by four theoretically relevant dimensions of conformity to masculine norms (CMNI, i.e. risk-taking, winning, self-reliance, and primacy of work). METHODS The sample for the present study is a subset of a survey that was conducted in the spring of 2020 among U.S. adults and includes 509 participants who met the inclusion criteria. We assessed pandemic-related employment change status, changes in reported frequency and quantity of alcohol consumed, and four CMNI dimensions. Relations between these variables were assessed with a multinomial logistic regression path model. RESULTS Experiencing an adverse change in employment early in the pandemic was related to increased alcohol use when moderated by the CMNI dimension primacy of work. For people higher on primacy of work, an adverse change in employment was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting an increase in frequency, but not quantity, of drinking (rather than a decrease or no change). Not experiencing an adverse change in employment early in the pandemic was associated with an increased likelihood of reporting an increase for quantity but not frequency. CONCLUSION The results highlight the importance of considering how work-oriented women may be at risk for increasing alcohol use when confronted with changes in work status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha R. Shrestha
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
| | | | | | - Michael R. Baumann
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas – San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Krista J. Howard
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
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Papini S, López-Castro T, Swarbrick M, Paul LK, Stanley D, Bauer A, Hien DA. Alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine use have distinct associations with COVID-19 pandemic-related experiences: An exploratory Bayesian network analysis across two timepoints. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 248:109929. [PMID: 37267744 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use trends during the COVID-19 pandemic have been extensively documented. However, relatively less is known about the associations between pandemic-related experiences and substance use. METHOD In July 2020 and January 2021, a broad U.S. community sample (N = 1123) completed online assessments of past month alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine use and the 92-item Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory, a multidimensional measure of pandemic-related experiences. We examined links between substance use frequency, and pandemic impact on emotional, physical, economic, and other key domains, using Bayesian Gaussian graphical networks in which edges represent significant associations between variables (referred to as nodes). Bayesian network comparison approaches were used to assess the evidence of stability (or change) in associations between the two timepoints. RESULTS After controlling for all other nodes in the network, multiple significant edges connecting substance use nodes and pandemic-experience nodes were observed across both time points, including positive- (r range 0.07-0.23) and negative-associations (r range -0.25 to -0.11). Alcohol was positively associated with social and emotional pandemic impacts and negatively associated with economic impacts. Nicotine was positively associated with economic impact and negatively associated with social impact. Cannabis was positively associated with emotional impact. Network comparison suggested these associations were stable across the two timepoints. CONCLUSION Alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis use had unique associations to a few specific domains among a broad range of pandemic-related experiences. Given the cross-sectional nature of these analyses with observational data, further investigation is needed to identify potential causal links.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Papini
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA94612, USA
| | - Teresa López-Castro
- Department of Psychology, Colin Powell School of Civic and Global Leadership, The City College of New York, The City University of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, NAC 7/120, New York, NY10031, USA
| | - Margaret Swarbrick
- Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, 607 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ08854, USA
| | - Lynn K Paul
- Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA91125, USA
| | - Damian Stanley
- Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA91125, USA; Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University, One South Avenue, Garden City, NY11530, USA
| | - Alexandria Bauer
- Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, 607 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ08854, USA
| | - Denise A Hien
- Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, 607 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ08854, USA.
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46
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Srinagesh A, Forthal S, Madden SP, Stein LAR, Muench F. Impacts of COVID-19 on alcohol use among help-seeking adults. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2023; 3:11159. [PMID: 38389810 PMCID: PMC10880767 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2023.11159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been associated with both increased and decreased alcohol use. Authors explored reasons for increased and decreased alcohol use since the COVID-19 lockdown (March 2020) in a sample of help-seeking adults (HSA) participating in a remote-based alcohol reduction text-messaging intervention in the USA. At the time of recruitment, the HSA in this study were interested in reducing rather than stopping their alcohol consumption. An optional self-report questionnaire was completed by 324 participants (mean age 41.6 ± 10.2 years; 71.5% female; 83.9% White) in February 2021. Survey questions assessed sociodemographic factors, social stressors (quarantine conditions, employment status, changes to daily routine), and drinking patterns. Authors fit two ordinal logistic regression models: one for increased drinking and one for decreased drinking, as functions of the potential predictors and control variables. Most participants (n = 281; 87.0%) reported drinking more than usual since COVID-19 lockdown began. The most common self-reported reasons for drinking more were increased stress/anxiety (74.7%), boredom (69.4%), and spending more time at home (65.5%) whereas reasons for drinking less were less socializing (33.7%) and worrying about how alcohol would impact the immune system (31.5%). Identifying as female, severity of changes to daily routine, and increased access to alcohol were significantly associated with drinking more than usual. These data suggest that the general consequences of the pandemic in the general population (e.g., boredom) led to greater alcohol use among help-seeking adults attempting to reduce their drinking. Identifying these factors may help create more targeted interventions during public health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aradhana Srinagesh
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, South Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Sarah Forthal
- Partnership to End Addiction, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sean P Madden
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - L A R Stein
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, South Kingston, RI, United States
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Gilbert PA, Soweid L, Holdefer PJ, Kersten S, Mulia N. Strategies to maintain recovery from alcohol problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from a mixed-methods national survey of adults in the United States. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284435. [PMID: 37068066 PMCID: PMC10109499 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with poorer mental health and, in some cases, increased alcohol consumption; however, little is known about the pandemic's effects on people in recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD), especially how they have coped with novel stressors. Our mixed-methods study investigated strategies used to maintain recovery during the pandemic, with attention to variation by gender. We analyzed data obtained in fall 2020 from an online US national survey of adults with resolved AUD (n = 1,492) recruited from KnowledgePanel, a probability-based cohort of non-institutionalized adults maintained by Ipsos for internet-based research. Participants endorsed possible coping strategies on a 19-item choose-all-that-apply list, which were analyzed using chi-square tests. In addition, 1,008 participants provided text responses to an open-ended question about their strategies to maintain recovery during the pandemic, which were coded and analyzed using an inductive, thematic approach. The majority of our sample met criteria for severe lifetime AUD (72.9%), reported being in recovery more than five years (75.5%), and had never used specialty AUD services or mutual-help groups (59.7%). The ordering of the coping strategies was quite similar for women and men; however, the top strategy (talking with family and friends by phone, text, or video) was endorsed more frequently by women than men (49.7% vs. 36.1%; p < .001). Among qualitative themes, "staying connected" was the most common. It was dominated by statements about family, with women mentioning children more often than men. Among other themes, "cognitive strategies" mirrored established therapeutic modalities, and "active pursuits" aligned with many recent recommendations for service providers working with substance-using populations during the pandemic. A minority of participants invoked "willpower" for recovery or stated that pandemic restrictions helped by reducing exposure to relapse risks. These findings shed light on recovery mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggest potential intervention targets to support recovery during other catastrophic events, such as natural disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Gilbert
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Loulwa Soweid
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Paul J. Holdefer
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Sarah Kersten
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Nina Mulia
- Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Emeryville, California, Unites States of America
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Rezapour M, Niazi MKK, Gurcan MN. Machine learning-based analytics of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on alcohol consumption habit changes among United States healthcare workers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6003. [PMID: 37046069 PMCID: PMC10092930 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33222-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health concern that has spread around the globe. Machine Learning is promising in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Machine learning and artificial intelligence have been employed by various healthcare providers, scientists, and clinicians in medical industries in the fight against COVID-19 disease. In this paper, we discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on alcohol consumption habit changes among healthcare workers in the United States during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. We utilize multiple supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods and models such as decision trees, logistic regression, support vector machines, multilayer perceptron, XGBoost, CatBoost, LightGBM, AdaBoost, Chi-Squared Test, mutual information, KModes clustering and the synthetic minority oversampling technique on a mental health survey data obtained from the University of Michigan Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research to investigate the links between COVID-19-related deleterious effects and changes in alcohol consumption habits among healthcare workers. Through the interpretation of the supervised and unsupervised methods, we have concluded that healthcare workers whose children stayed home during the first wave in the US consumed more alcohol. We also found that the work schedule changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic led to a change in alcohol use habits. Changes in food consumption, age, gender, geographical characteristics, changes in sleep habits, the amount of news consumption, and screen time are also important predictors of an increase in alcohol use among healthcare workers in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Rezapour
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
| | | | - Metin Nafi Gurcan
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Acuff SF, MacKillop J, Murphy JG. A contextualized reinforcer pathology approach to addiction. NATURE REVIEWS PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 2:309-323. [PMID: 37193018 PMCID: PMC10028332 DOI: 10.1038/s44159-023-00167-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Behavioural economic accounts of addiction conceptualize harmful drug use as an operant reinforcer pathology, emphasizing that a drug is consumed because of overvaluation of smaller immediate rewards relative to larger delayed rewards (delay discounting) and high drug reinforcing value (drug demand). These motivational processes are within-individual determinants of behaviour. A third element of learning theory posits that harmful drug use depends on the relative constraints on access to other available activities and commodities in the choice context (alternative reinforcers), reflecting the substantial influence of environmental factors. In this Perspective, we integrate alternative reinforcers into the contemporary behavioural economic account of harmful drug use - the contextualized reinforcer pathology model - and review empirical literature across the translational spectrum in support of this model. Furthermore, we consider how increases in drug-related mortality and health disparities in addiction can be understood and potentially ameliorated via a contextualized reinforcer pathology model in which lack of alternative reinforcement is a major risk factor for addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James MacKillop
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University/St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - James G. Murphy
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN USA
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50
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Kilian C, Carr S, Schulte B, Manthey J. Increased alcohol-specific mortality in Germany during COVID-19: State-level trends from 2010 to 2020. Drug Alcohol Rev 2023; 42:633-640. [PMID: 36352737 PMCID: PMC9878067 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic may have led to an increase in the alcohol-specific mortality. Against this backdrop, the aim of this report is to explore alcohol-specific mortality trends in Germany of the years 2010 to 2020. METHOD Alcohol-specific mortality data aggregated by sex, 5-year age groups and state were collected from the annual cause-of-death statistics and analysed descriptively by visual inspection. RESULTS The overall alcohol-specific mortality rate (age-standardised) has mainly decreased between 2010 and 2020. However, increased alcohol-specific mortality rates for the year 2020 compared to 2019 were found for both, women (+4.8%) and men (+5.5%), particularly in age groups between 40 and 69 years. Changes in alcohol-specific mortality rates differed between federated states, with steeper increases in East Germany. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Different mechanisms related to the increase in alcohol consumption, particularly among high-risk drinkers, and reduced resources in health care may have led to an increase in alcohol-specific mortality in Germany in 2020. Despite the recent decline in the alcohol-specific mortality in Germany, an increase in the death toll was observed in 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Kilian
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and PsychotherapyTechnische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
- Institute for Mental Health Policy ResearchCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoCanada
| | - Sinclair Carr
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity Medical Centre Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Bernd Schulte
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity Medical Centre Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Jakob Manthey
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and PsychotherapyTechnische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity Medical Centre Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical FacultyUniversity of LeipzigLeipzigGermany
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