Psychiatry

Accounting

Public health

Pathology

Sociology

Business

Demography

Psychology

Nursing

Social distance

Chemistry

Injury prevention

Audit

Social isolation

Disease

Demographics

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test

Alcohol

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Poison control

Infectious disease (medical specialty)

Biochemistry

Medicine

Pandemic

Environmental health

Introduction null The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has rapidly emerged as a public health emergency. In the United States, stay-at-home orders have led to loss of social routines and the closing of restaurants and bars; as a result, sales of alcohol have increased. The aim of this study was to assess changes in alcohol use patterns as a result of social distancing measures. null Methods null A single online survey was sent to a convenience sample of adults through social media. Self-reported demographics and alcohol use patterns before and during social distancing were obtained. null Results null Four hundred seventeen subjects completed the survey; 83% were women, 77% were married, 44% were between ages 35 and 44 years. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) scores increased from median value of 3 to 4 (P null null Conclusion null Among those who continue to drink alcohol, social distancing has led to a significant increase in the amount of alcohol ingested, frequency of alcohol use, and an increase in AUDIT-C scores in women suggesting hazardous alcohol use behaviors. Clinicians should continue to assess patient alcohol use during the pandemic. Further studies will be needed to assess long-term outcomes after the COVID-19 pandemic resolves.

Changes in Alcohol Use Patterns in the United States During COVID-19 Pandemic.