AGI – Alcohol consumption decreased significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic among young adults and remained lower even in the two years following the first waves of infection. This is highlighted by a study, published in the journal ‘Nature Mental Health’, conducted by scientists at Carnegie Mellon University. The team, led by Kasey Creswell, prospectively examined information on 234 young people aged 21 to 29 who consumed high doses of alcohol. Specifically, we selected participants who reported binge drinking at least four times in the past month. The researchers collected data every six months, from February 2018 to March 2022, assessing the amount of alcohol consumed and the consequences of drinking it. “The pandemic – says Creswell – offered us a unique opportunity to evaluate how widespread mitigation measures such as social distancing and bar/restaurant closures may have affected alcohol consumption. The results showed that our sample had significantly reduced the quantity and frequency of drinking.” In particular, experts report, monthly alcohol intake decreased by approximately 13 alcohol units during the pandemic.
Participants also reported significantly fewer alcohol-related problems. The best habits still seemed evident two years into the pandemic. “Although the availability of alcoholic beverages did not change during the restrictions,” observes Aidan Wright, a professor at the University of Michigan, “the context in which drinking was possible probably changed quite dramatically, due to the containment measures. These results highlight the social nature of drinking and underline the importance of the context linked to opportunities for conviviality.” Overall, a 4% increase in solitary alcohol consumption was also found. The results for men and women followed similar patterns. “In most cases – continues Creswell – the young people who drank alcoholic beverages alone declared that it was a way to deal with the difficult situation. We believe that this factor is mainly linked to the restrictions, and that it does not represent the index of a problematic effect on a social level”. In this analysis, scientists focused on one segment of the population, so the data may not be generalizable, and it will be necessary to further evaluate drinking patterns before and after the pandemic. “The spread of the coronavirus – concludes Creswell – has been really difficult for many people. Yet, for young people who drank excessively, Covid-19 may have led to a long-term positive effect”.
