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Christiansen P, Hunt S, Jones A, Rose AK. Development and Validation of the Maternal Drinking Motives Scale (M-DMS). Subst Use Misuse 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38987988 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2024.2374292] [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] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use is a gendered behavior and motherhood is a life stage which may influence drinking motives. However, there are no drinking motive scales uniquely tailored to maternal populations. This work developed a new maternal drinking motives scale (M-DMS) and determined associations between the M-DMS and alcohol-related behavior. METHODS An online observational survey (n = 534) and online test-retest survey (n = 164) were conducted with adult, UK mothers. From the observational study, data on drinking motives was extracted to determine M-DMS items and factor loading. This was split into two data sets for exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Timeline Follow back data, taken from both surveys, were combined to determine the M-DMS's predictive validity. RESULTS Following a parallel analysis and exploratory factor analysis, a two-factor model (positive reinforcement motives, negative reinforcement motives) was deemed the best fit. Probability functional analysis identified items with problematic responses. These were removed before confirmatory factor analysis (on the second dataset) demonstrated a good fit for the two-factor model. All factor loadings were significant and positive (βs > 0.56). Reliability of the two subscales was excellent: negative reinforcement (ωT = 0.95), positive reinforcement (ωT = 0.89). Test-retest reliability was good for both negative (ICC = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.80-0.88) and positive (ICC = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.71-0.82) subscales. Both subscales predicted AUDIT and quantity of alcohol consumption (ps < 0.001). CONCLUSION The first tailored Maternal Drinking Motives Scale (M-DMS) provides a more valid research tool for assessing psychological mechanisms of alcohol use in mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sally Hunt
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Andrew Jones
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Abigail K Rose
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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Johnson MC, Zweig JA, Zhang Y, Ryabinin AE. Effects of social housing on alcohol intake in mice depend on the non-social environment. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1380031. [PMID: 38817806 PMCID: PMC11137225 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1380031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Excessive alcohol consumption leads to serious health problems. Mechanisms regulating the consumption of alcohol are insufficiently understood. Previous preclinical studies suggested that non-social environmental and social environmental complexities can regulate alcohol consumption in opposite directions. However, previous studies did not include all conditions and/or did not include female rodents. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effects of social versus single housing in standard versus non-standard housing conditions in male and female mice. Methods Adult C57BL/6 J mice were housed in either standard shoebox cages or in automated Herdsman 2 (HM2) cages and exposed to a two-bottle choice procedure with 3% or 6% ethanol versus water for 5 days. The HM2 cages use radiotracking devices to measure the fluid consumption of individual mice in an undisturbed and automated manner. In both housing conditions, mice were housed either at one or at four per cage. Results In standard cages, group housing of animals decreased alcohol consumption and water consumption. In HM2 cages, group housing significantly increased ethanol preference and decreased water intake. There were no significant differences in these effects between male and female animals. These observations were similar for 3 and 6% ethanol solutions but were more pronounced for the latter. The effects of social environment on ethanol preference in HM2 cages were accompanied by an increase in the number of approaches to the ethanol solution and a decrease in the number of approaches to water. The differences in ethanol intake could not be explained by differences in locomotor or exploratory activity as socially housed mice showed fewer non-consummatory visits to the ethanol solutions than single-housed animals. In addition, we observed that significant changes in behaviors measuring the approach to the fluid were not always accompanied by significant changes in fluid consumption, and vice versa, suggesting that it is important to assess both measures of motivation to consume alcohol. Conclusion Our results indicate that the direction of the effects of social environment on alcohol intake in mice depends on the non-social housing environment. Understanding mechanisms by which social and non-social housing conditions modulate alcohol intake could suggest approaches to counteract environmental factors enhancing hazardous alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Andrey E. Ryabinin
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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Marti-Prats L, Belin D. Characterization in the rat of the individual tendency to rely on alcohol to cope with distress and the ensuing vulnerability to drink compulsively. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae169. [PMID: 38868300 PMCID: PMC11168338 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae169] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Only some vulnerable individuals who recreationally drink alcohol eventually develop the compulsive drinking pattern that characterizes alcohol use disorder. A new frontier in biomedical research lies in understanding the neurobehavioural mechanisms of this individual vulnerability, a necessary step towards developing novel effective therapeutic strategies. Translational research has been hindered by the lack of valid, reliable and robust approaches that enable the study of the influence of the reliance on alcohol to cope with stress or self-medicate negative emotional states on the subsequent transition to alcohol use disorder. We have therefore developed a behavioural task in the rat that enables the investigation of the neural and cellular basis of the exacerbation of the vulnerability to develop compulsive alcohol drinking by the use of alcohol to develop an adjunctive, anxiolytic, polydipsic drinking behaviour in a schedule-induced polydipsia procedure. Hence, in our task, alcohol is introduced in the schedule-induced polydipsia context after several weeks of training with water so that rats are exposed to alcohol for the first time in a distressing context and learn to drink alcohol as a coping strategy. Capitalizing on this protocol, we have consistently been able to identify a subpopulation of rats that were unable to learn to cope with negative states by drinking water and relied on alcohol to do so. This maladaptive reliance on alcohol drinking to cope with distress has been shown to be associated with an exacerbation of the subsequent transition to compulsive drinking. Furthermore, these vulnerable rats reached blood alcohol levels comparable to that of intoxication in humans, thereby developing two key features of alcohol use disorder, namely excessive alcohol intake and compulsive drinking. Altogether, this behavioural task provides a novel and unique tool for the investigation of the neurobehavioural mechanisms underlying the exacerbation of the individual vulnerability to developing compulsive alcohol drinking by the use of alcohol as a strategy to cope with distress, and for the evaluation of the efficacy of potential therapeutic strategies in a personalized medicine approach. This procedure, which focuses on an understudied but key factor of the development of alcohol use disorder, may become widely used as it benefits the fields of alcohol, emotion regulation and stress, the interest in which has substantially increased since the evidence of a profound exacerbation of alcohol use and alcohol-related negative consequences by the distress and social isolation engendered by the various measures implemented worldwide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Marti-Prats
- Department of Psychology, CLIC (Cambridge Laboratory for Research on Impulsive/Compulsive Disorders), University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK
| | - David Belin
- Department of Psychology, CLIC (Cambridge Laboratory for Research on Impulsive/Compulsive Disorders), University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK
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Wolkowicz NR, Augur IF, Ham LS. The influence of negative urgency and mood inductions on alcohol cognitions. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:530-544. [PMID: 38402558 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Negative urgency (NU), the tendency to act rashly during negative emotional states, is a robust risk factor for alcohol misuse that is posited to function in part through alcohol-related cognitions. Nonetheless, relatively little research has examined mood-based fluctuations in such cognitions, which could help to explain how the trait of NU translates to impulsive alcohol-related behaviors. We examined how NU impacted several alcohol cognitions (positive/negative alcohol expectancies, positive/negative alcohol valuations, and alcohol craving for positive/negative emotional reinforcement) before and after negative, neutral, or positive mood inductions. We hypothesized that NU would predict greater and more favorable endorsement of alcohol and its effects following negative (vs. positive or neutral) mood induction. METHODS Participants (N = 428) were southern-midwestern college students recruited for an online experiment. Following the provision of consent, participants rated NU and preinduction alcohol cognitions, and were then randomly assigned to one of three (negative, neutral, or positive) mood inductions; subsequently, postinduction alcohol-cognition ratings were immediately obtained. We conducted six robust multilevel linear models (one per DV) examining NU's influence on within-person changes in alcohol cognitions across each mood induction. RESULTS No three-way interactions were identified and only one two-way interaction involving NU was identified. There were main effects across mood induction conditions and time points for NU predicting greater endorsement of positive and negative alcohol outcome expectancies, and greater alcohol craving for positive and negative emotional reinforcement. CONCLUSIONS Greater NU predicts greater perceived likelihood of alcohol's effects, alongside greater desire for mood improvement from alcohol. The absence of three-way interactive effects indicates NU's influence on mood-dependent fluctuations in alcohol cognitions may manifest over longer timescales (e.g., months and years), involve alternative cognitive processes (e.g., drinking motives and implicit alcohol cognitions), and apply more broadly to desires for mood improvement than purely negative emotional reinforcement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah R Wolkowicz
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Isabel F Augur
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Lindsay S Ham
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
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Waddell JT, King SE, Okey SA, Corbin WR. Event-level risk for negative alcohol consequences in emerging adults: The role of affect, motivation, and context. PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS 2024; 38:8-18. [PMID: 35834201 PMCID: PMC9839898 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000866] [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: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Decades of research has found support for the motivational model of alcohol use, such that positive/negative affect are indirectly associated with drinking behavior through drinking motives. However, research on event-level drinking motives is in its nascent stage, and studies have yet to consider how drinking context plays a role in the motivational pathway to both event- and person-level drinking behavior. Therefore, the present study seeks to test whether drinking context mediates the effect of affect and motivation on drinking outcomes at both the event- and person-level. METHOD Data for this Stage 1 Registered Report will come from a recently completed ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study in emerging adults. The study collected data on 131 emerging adults, of whom 107 reported event-level social and solitary drinking during the EMA period. Multilevel structural equation modeling will be used to test whether predrinking affect is associated with predrinking motives, and whether drinking context (social vs. solitary drinking) mediates the effect of drinking motives on drinking outcomes. Models will parse within-/between-person variance, allowing the present study to test whether drinking context serves as a mechanism of risk in the motivational model at the event-level, or solely at the between-person level. Findings will inform personalized interventions and motivational models of drinking behavior. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Puddephatt JA, Makin H, Gage SH, Jones A, Goodwin L. Understanding alcohol use and changes in drinking habits among people with a severe mental illness: a qualitative framework analysis study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1282086. [PMID: 38155700 PMCID: PMC10752932 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1282086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Individuals with a severe mental illness (SMI) are more likely to drink at harmful levels or abstain. While it is known that drinking patterns change over time, the reasons for this among those with a SMI are unclear. This study aimed to (i) explore the experiences with alcohol, particularly in relation to mental health symptoms, and (ii) how drinking patterns have changed over time, among individuals who have a SMI diagnosis, who either currently drink alcohol or no longer drink. Methods One-to-one semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted to address the study aims. Current drinkers' alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. A framework analysis was used to address the study aims with a specific focus on the differences in the experiences with alcohol use between current and former drinkers. Results 16 participants were interviewed, and five themes were developed. The analysis highlighted how alcohol was increasingly used to cope with (i) trauma, (ii) SMI-related symptoms, or (iii) stress. Among those with a SMI, non-drinking was facilitated through declines in SMI-related symptoms, previous negative consequences due to alcohol and changing the social environment. Current drinking habits were facilitated through changes in the reasons for drinking and adopting different alcohol moderation techniques. Discussion Among those with a SMI diagnosis and who either currently drink alcohol or no longer drink, our findings support the self-medication hypothesis and drinking motives model. However, our findings indicate the need for further development of drinking to cope with a focus on symptoms of a SMI and trauma. Our findings also have implications on specialist alcohol and mental health services, the need to improve individuals' understanding of SMI, and the need to identify reasons for drinking among those with a recent diagnosis of a SMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo-Anne Puddephatt
- Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, United Kingdom
| | - Harriet Makin
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne H. Gage
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Jones
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Goodwin
- Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
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Morris J, Boness CL, Burton R. (Mis)understanding alcohol use disorder: Making the case for a public health first approach. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 253:111019. [PMID: 37952353 PMCID: PMC11061885 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
'Alcohol use disorder' (AUD) is used by several contemporary conceptualizations to identify, treat and prevent problems associated with alcohol use. Such conceptualizations encompass diagnostic classifications and broader frameworks for policy and practice. However, current AUD concepts are subject to multiple tensions and limitations in capturing and responding to the complex and heterogeneous nature of alcohol problems. Further, public understandings of alcohol problems are heavily divergent from professional AUD concepts and remain embedded within an 'alcoholism' master narrative in which disease model stereotypes come with multiple costs for prevention and 'recovery'. The persistence of a problematic 'alcoholism' paradigm reflects the coalescing of multiple forces including the cognitive appeal of reductionism, motives to stigmatize and 'other', and an over-emphasis on AUD as an individually located biomedical problem. Public misperceptions of AUD as a matter of the individual, the individual's essence, and misconceived notions of responsibility and control have been bolstered by industry interests and the ascension of neuroscience and genetics, in turn diverting attention from the importance of the environmental and commercial determinants of health and the effectiveness of under-utilized public health policies. We call for multiple stakeholders to support efforts to prioritize a public health first approach to advancing AUD research, policy and treatment in order to make significant advances in AUD prevention and treatment. We offer several recommendations to assist in shifting public understanding and scientific limitations in AUD concepts and responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Morris
- London South Bank University, Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research, UK.
| | - Cassandra L Boness
- University of New Mexico, Center on Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions, USA
| | - Robyn Burton
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
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Buono FD, Polonsky M, Sprong ME, Aviles A, Cutter CJ. Feasibility of a remotely monitored blood alcohol concentration device to facilitate treatment motivation. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2023; 9:100202. [PMID: 38045492 PMCID: PMC10690544 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2023.100202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Consistent monitoring of blood alcohol concentration through breathalyzers is critical for identifying reoccurrence. Little research has effectively utilized convenient wireless enabled breathalyzers that can measure blood alcohol concentration while enhancing treatment motivation for outpatient care. The current study attempted to understand the impact of wireless breathalyzers on treatment motivation and self-efficacy in remaining sober for individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder in an outpatient treatment facility. Methods Participants were assigned to one of two conditions: the experimental breathalyzer and the treatment as usual group. The groups were assessed by the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA), and on self-efficacy, measured by the Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale (AASE). The evaluation period took place over three months with a six-week follow-up evaluation. During the entirety of the evaluation period and post-study follow up, interviews occurred. Results As a secondary analysis, the URICA's motivational scores were higher for participants receiving the experimental intervention at a two-month evaluation and at the six-week follow-up. The AASE's temptation to reoccurrence scores significantly reduced over time for both groups. The confidence to resist temptation was not significant. Three major themes emerged from the interviews, including the benefit of the breathalyzer facilitating their treatment, ease of device use, and technical issues. Conclusions The insights gained from this study will be important to develop cost-effective ancillary interventions for comprehensive alcohol dependence treatment. On-going monitoring enabled by new technology allows treatment providers to take an individualized disease-management approach as well as facilitating timely interventions by the treatment provider.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank D. Buono
- Yale School of Medicine, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06517, United States
| | | | | | - Allison Aviles
- Yale School of Medicine, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06517, United States
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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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Song YX, Huang YC, Li YY, Bao YP, Zhou GD, Lu L, Shi J, Sun Y. Risk factors for poor progression of addictive internet use across different COVID-19 periods in China. Am J Addict 2023; 32:593-605. [PMID: 37615548 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13464] [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: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Addictive behaviors are serious factors for mental health and usually increase during public crises. We identified the vulnerable characteristics for bad prognosis of addictive internet use across different periods of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS Self-reported questionnaires were delivered in three waves through jdh.com during the outbreak (n = 17,960), remission (n = 15,666), and dynamic zero (n = 12,158) periods of COVID-19 pandemic in China. Internet addiction degree was assessed using the Internet Addiction Test. The different progression groups were divided using a latent class growth model among 1679 longitudinal participants. Risk factors for bad progression were identified by two-step logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 40.16% of participants reported an increase in the addictive degree of internet use compared with prepandemic. Across different COVID-19 periods, the overall trend of addictive internet use was downward among general Chinese study participants (Mslope = -1.56). Childhood traumatic experiences, deterioration of physical health, depression, and anxiety during remission and dynamic periods were the main risk factors for the bad progression of pandemic-induced addictive internet use. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Addictive internet use was remitted following relaxed control policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Negative childhood experiences and bad mental status during the recovery period were harmful to coping with pandemic-related addictive internet use. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Our findings profiled the general trend of addictive internet use and the vulnerable characteristics of its bad progression across different periods of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in China. Our findings provide valuable insights for preventing the long-term adverse effects of negative public events on Internet addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Xuan Song
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Chen Huang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Beijing, China
| | - Yang-Yang Li
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Ping Bao
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Beijing, China
| | - Guang-Dong Zhou
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lin Lu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Beijing, China
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Shi
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Sun
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Beijing, China
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Connolly DJ, Coduri-Fulford S, Tugulu C, Yalew M, Moss E, Yang JC. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Reporting in Highly Cited Current Alcohol Research. LGBT Health 2023. [PMID: 37862224 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2023.0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to measure the frequency of high-quality and transparent sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data collection and reporting in highly cited current alcohol use research, using the extant literature to identify community-informed priorities for the measurement of these variables. Methods: A single search to identify alcohol use literature was conducted on PubMed with results restricted to primary research articles published between 2015 and 2022. The 200 most highly cited studies from each year were identified and their titles and abstracts reviewed against inclusion criteria after deduplication. After full-text review, study characteristics and data indicating quality of SOGI reporting were extracted. The fidelity of the results was verified with a random sample before analyses. Results: The final sample comprised 580 records. Few studies reported gender identity (n = 194; 33.4%) and, of these, 7.2% reported the associated gender identity measure. A two-stage approach to measure gender was adopted in 3 studies, one study used an open-ended question with a free-text response option, and 13 studies recorded nonbinary gender identities (reported by 0.9% of the whole sample). Nineteen (3.3%) studies reported sexual orientation and more than half of these provided the sexual orientation measure. Eight of the 20 studies that reported sexual orientation and/or gender identity measures were classified as sexual and gender minority specialist research. Conclusions: Culturally competent SOGI reporting is lacking in highly cited current alcohol research. SOGI measures should be disclosed in future research and should provide free-text response options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean J Connolly
- Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Santino Coduri-Fulford
- Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Margate, United Kingdom
| | - Connor Tugulu
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Meron Yalew
- UCL Medical School, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Moss
- Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Justin C Yang
- UCL Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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12
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Beck JG, Bowen ME, Majeed R, Free BL, Brown TA, Brown B, Farchione T. Alcohol Use and Mental Health Symptoms in Nurses during the Early Months of COVID-19. J Dual Diagn 2023; 19:240-247. [PMID: 37813696 DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2023.2260346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The current study examined associations of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depression, and generalized anxiety disorder [GAD] with alcohol consumption and drinking to cope in a sample of 310 nurses during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD Using a cross-sectional design, nurses completed online surveys. RESULTS Over 50% of the sample reported alcohol misuse and 12.2% reported drinking to cope. Further, 38.7% reported elevated symptoms of PTSD, 29.7% moderate-to-high symptoms of depression, and 56.8% elevated symptoms of GAD symptoms. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine how mental health symptoms were associated with alcohol outcomes, controlling for age, gender pronouns, education, and race. No significant predictors emerged for alcohol consumption. Significant associations of symptoms of PTSD and depression were found for drinking to cope, such that higher levels of mental health symptoms were associated with greater endorsement of drinking to cope. CONCLUSION Results are discussed in light of increasing prevention and support services for nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Gayle Beck
- Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mya E Bowen
- Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rimsha Majeed
- Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Bre'Anna L Free
- Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Timothy A Brown
- Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bonnie Brown
- Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Todd Farchione
- Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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13
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Connolly DJ, Eraslan E, Gilchrist G. Coronavirus (COVID-19) and sexualised drug use among men who have sex with men: a systematic review. Sex Health 2023; 20:375-384. [PMID: 37460309 DOI: 10.1071/sh23071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Drug-related harms, including harms from sexualised drug use (SDU), are disproportionately experienced by sexual and gender minority people, relative to their majority counterparts. Chemsex, a type of SDU practiced mainly by MSM, is associated with methamphetamine use and increased HIV seropositivity or risk of acquisition. Therefore, participants are at increased risk of immunocompromise. Existing evidence suggests that drug use increases following natural disasters. The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on chemsex is unknown. A PRISMA-adherent systematic review was conducted to synthesise reports of changes in the prevalence, frequency, or characteristics of drug use (and factors associated with these changes) following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report presents findings related to SDU/chemsex among MSM. A comprehensive search across nine databases, supplemented with backward-forward citation searching and contact with key opinion leaders, was conducted. Two reviewers carried out title-abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction. Following a final, single database search, nine studies were included in the narrative synthesis. More than half the sample were studies investigating HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis use. Twenty percent of participants in most studies reported chemsex participation. In four, participants reported a net increase or maintenance of chemsex participation during the pandemic and five reported a net decrease. Increased chemsex participation was associated with loneliness, cravings, and working during the pandemic. Decreased chemsex practice was associated with COVID-19-related fear. This synthesis suggests that chemsex practice continued, and for some MSM increased, throughout COVID-19 pandemic 'lockdowns'. This may have increased COVID-19 transmission and severity among potentially vulnerable MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean J Connolly
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Windsor Walk, London, UK
| | - Ece Eraslan
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Windsor Walk, London, UK
| | - Gail Gilchrist
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Windsor Walk, London, UK
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14
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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: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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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15
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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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16
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Yandug JSG, Ponce FD, Ong AKS. Application of Conjoint Analysis and 5Ps Marketing Mix in Identifying Customer Preference of Alcohol Consumption among Youths in the Philippines. Foods 2023; 12:foods12071401. [PMID: 37048221 PMCID: PMC10093551 DOI: 10.3390/foods12071401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic beverages have long been one of the most popular commodities. They have been mass-produced worldwide because of their popularity and demand. On a survey by Statista in 2021, alcohol consumption is projected to increase in the Philippines. Thus, the popularity of numerous alcoholic beverages piqued the curiosity of consumers and researchers alike. This study used conjoint analysis that aims to have a better understanding of consumer preferences for alcohol consumption among youths. Additionally, the study considered the following attributes: (1) type of alcoholic beverage, (2) oral sensation, (3) flavor, (4) origin, (5) color, and (6) price. Results revealed that the product’s price is the most crucial attribute influencing consumer preferences by 26.311%, followed by the type of alcoholic beverage with an importance score of 26.237%. The least considered attribute is the product’s color, having an importance score of 7.790%. These were supported by two statistical tests, the Pearson’s Correlation Test and Kendall’s Tau Test, which both obtained a value higher than 0.8. Managerial implications were presented in the study to help provide strategies and development for alcoholic beverage distribution in the Philippines based on the findings of this study, which relate to young consumers.
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17
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SARS-CoV-2 versus Influenza A Virus: Characteristics and Co-Treatments. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030580. [PMID: 36985154 PMCID: PMC10051779 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
For three years, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by infection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has completely changed our lifestyles and prepared us to live with this novel pneumonia for years to come. Given that pre-existing flu is caused by the influenza A virus, we have begun unprecedently co-coping with two different respiratory diseases at the same time. Hence, we draw a comparison between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus based on the general characteristics, especially the main variants’ history and the distribution of the two viruses. SARS-CoV-2 appeared to mutate more frequently and independently of locations than the influenza A virus. Furthermore, we reviewed present clinical trials on combined management against COVID-19 and influenza in order to explore better solutions against both at the same time.
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18
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aan het Rot M, Baltariu IC, Enea V. Increased alcohol use to cope with COVID-19-related anxiety one year into the coronavirus pandemic. NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 2023; 40:146-159. [PMID: 37063818 PMCID: PMC10101168 DOI: 10.1177/14550725221147111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: An increase in drinking to cope with anxiety provoked by the coronavirus was observed during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: In the present study, we examined the role of drinking motives in the anxiety–alcohol link one year into the pandemic. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we collected data between April and May 2021: 678 participants located in Romania or the Netherlands completed an online survey on alcohol consumption in the past month (assessed using a simple quantity-frequency measure), change in drinking during the past year (assessed using a single item asking whether there had been an increase, decrease or no change), drinking motives (assessed using the Revised Drinking Motives Questionnaire), drinking-related problems (assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test), and COVID-19-related anxiety (assessed using the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale). Results: Compared to before the pandemic, while 42% of participants had decreased their alcohol consumption, 15% reported an increase. Participants with clinically relevant COVID-19-related anxiety (11%) were more likely to drink to cope with negative affect, enhance positive affect, and conform to others. The association between COVID-19-related anxiety and drinking-related problems was specifically moderated by drinking to cope, such that the anxiety–alcohol link was stronger in participants who endorsed this drinking motive more. Conclusion: Drinking is a maladaptive coping strategy for individuals with high levels of COVID-19-related anxiety. These individuals might benefit from interventions involving the learning of healthier skills to deal with the ongoing pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marije aan het Rot
- Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Isabelle C. Baltariu
- Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iasi, Romania
| | - Violeta Enea
- Department of Psychology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iasi, Romania
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19
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González-Roz A, Haik AK, Rahman L, Todi AA, Kane C, Walji A, Dickerman SR, Scarfe M, Levitt EE, Belisario K, Kelly JF, MacKillop J. Impacts of the COVID-19 public health restrictions on substance use, mental health, and psychosocial functioning among individuals with alcohol use disorder. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2022; 48:712-723. [PMID: 36417589 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2022.2134021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with major psychosocial disruptions and there is particular concern for individuals with substance use disorders.Objectives: This study characterized the psychosocial and experiential impacts of the pandemic on individuals seeking alcohol use disorder (AUD) recovery, including pandemic impacts on self-reported drinking, heavy drinking, tobacco, cannabis, and stimulant use.Methods: Participants were 125 AUD+ individuals (% males: 57.60; Mage = 49.11, SD = 12.13) reporting on substance use from January 1st-24th March, 2020 (pre-pandemic) and since the stay-at-home orders commenced, 24th March-June 28th 2020 (intra-pandemic). Within-subjects changes were examined and a latent profile analysis was performed to identify subgroups differentially impacted by the pandemic.Results: Large proportions reported psychosocial impacts of COVID-19, but drinking and other substance use did not reveal significant changes. Latent profile analyses revealed two subgroups: Profile 1 (n = 41/125), "Moderately Impacted") and Profile 2 (n = 84/125), "Severely Impacted"). Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the group that was moderately impacted by the pandemic exhibited significantly fewer heavy drinking days (p = .02) during the intra-pandemic period, but no other substance use changes. The group showing severe pandemic impacts did not exhibit changes in alcohol or other drug use but evidenced more severe anxiety and depression (ps < .001).Conclusions: We found heterogeneous subtypes of pandemic-related impacts in AUD recovery patients. There is need to provide psychosocial support to this particular population and further monitoring substance use and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba González-Roz
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Addictive Behaviors Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Amanda K Haik
- Recovery Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liah Rahman
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Akshiti A Todi
- Recovery Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claire Kane
- Recovery Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alyna Walji
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah R Dickerman
- Recovery Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Molly Scarfe
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emily E Levitt
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kyla Belisario
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - John F Kelly
- Recovery Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James MacKillop
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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20
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Creswell KG, Terry-McElrath YM, Patrick ME. Solitary alcohol use in adolescence predicts alcohol problems in adulthood: A 17-year longitudinal study in a large national sample of US high school students. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 238:109552. [PMID: 35835632 PMCID: PMC9639649 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying risk factors for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is important for public health. The social context of drinking-such as drinking alone-may be an independent and robust early risk marker for AUD symptoms later in life. We evaluated whether solitary alcohol use in adolescence (age 18) and young adulthood (age 23/24) was concurrently associated with binge drinking and prospectively predicted age 35 AUD symptoms, and whether associations differed by sex. METHODS Longitudinal data were from the Monitoring the Future study. Surveys were completed by adolescents in 12th grade at age 18 (1976-2002), young adults at age 23/24 (1981-2008), and adults at age 35 (1993-2019). Analyses included past 12-month alcohol users (n = 4464 for adolescent models; n = 4561 for young adult models). Multivariable regression analyses tested whether adolescent and young adult solitary alcohol use was associated concurrently with binge drinking frequency and prospectively with age 35 AUD symptoms. RESULTS Solitary alcohol use in adolescence and young adulthood was associated (a) concurrently with binge drinking and (b) prospectively with increased risk of age 35 AUD symptoms (even after controlling for earlier binge drinking, alcohol use frequency, and sociodemographic covariates). Adolescent solitary alcohol use was associated with age 35 AUD symptoms particularly among females; no interaction was observed between sex and young adult solitary alcohol use in predicting age 35 AUD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Adolescent and young adult solitary alcohol use was associated with increased adult AUD symptoms above and beyond other risk factors; adolescent female solitary alcohol users were especially at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasey G Creswell
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA.
| | | | - Megan E Patrick
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
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21
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Reichl D, Enewoldsen N, Müller A, Steins-Loeber S. Pilot testing of an adaptive, individualized inhibitory control training for binge drinking: first evidence on feasibility, acceptance, and efficacy. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2022; 87:1267-1283. [PMID: 35994096 PMCID: PMC9395788 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-022-01725-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Deficits in inhibitory control seem to promote habit behavior and therefore play an important role in the development and maintenance of addictive diseases. Although several training approaches have been suggested, there is a considerable lack of knowledge about the best way to improve inhibitory control. Based on a literature review regarding shortcomings of existing trainings, an individualized, adaptive inhibitory control training was developed. We aimed to assess feasibility and acceptance of this training and to provide preliminary results on its efficacy regarding inhibitory control and binge drinking. Methods Sixty-one individuals (30 female) with binge drinking behavior were randomly allocated to either an experimental group receiving three sessions of the inhibitory control training or a waitlist control group receiving no training. Before and after the training, the participants performed a Go/NoGo task to assess inhibitory control (commission errors and false reaction time), completed a questionnaire on drinking-related self-control, and reported drinking behavior. Results Although the training was feasible and accepted by participants, it did not affect self-control over drinking, inhibitory control or drinking behavior. The relationship between session number and false reaction time was linear for alcohol stimuli, but squared for neutral stimuli. Conclusion Although our findings have to be interpreted in the light of some shortcomings, they demonstrate that further research is needed to enhance our understanding of how to improve inhibitory control and which factors might moderate this process. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00426-022-01725-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Reichl
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto-Friedrich University Bamberg, Markusplatz 3, 96047, Bamberg, Germany.
| | - Niklas Enewoldsen
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto-Friedrich University Bamberg, Markusplatz 3, 96047, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Astrid Müller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sabine Steins-Loeber
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto-Friedrich University Bamberg, Markusplatz 3, 96047, Bamberg, Germany
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22
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Guthrie-Gower S, Wilson-Menzfeld G. Ex-military personnel's experiences of loneliness and social isolation from discharge, through transition, to the present day. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269678. [PMID: 35666756 PMCID: PMC9170086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine the unique factors of loneliness and social isolation within the ex-military population from discharge, through transition, to the present day. DESIGN A qualitative, Phenomenological approach was adopted. METHODS In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with 11 participants who had all served in the British Armed Forces and represented all three military services (Royal Navy; Army; Royal Air Force). Reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS Three themes were generated-a sense of loss; difficulty in connecting in civilian life; and seeking out familiarity. The findings of this study were examined through the lenses of the Social Needs Approach and the Cognitive Discrepancy Model. CONCLUSIONS Individuals developed close bonds in the military through meaningful and prolonged contact, reducing feelings of loneliness and social isolation during their time in service. The sense of belonging was key to social connection, but transition out of the military severed existing relationships, and a lack of belonging hindered the development of relationships within the civilian community. This study has implications for service provision relating to ex-military personnel and future service leavers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Guthrie-Gower
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Gemma Wilson-Menzfeld
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
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23
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Batterham PJ, Shou Y, Farrer LM, Murray K, Morse AR, Gulliver A, Slade T, Newton NC, Calear AL. Patterns and predictors of alcohol use during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: Longitudinal cohort study. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:1248-1257. [PMID: 35567305 PMCID: PMC9348344 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has resulted in disruptions across many life domains. The distress associated with the pandemic itself, and with public health efforts to manage the outbreak, could result in increased alcohol use. This study aimed to quantify changes in alcohol use during the early stages of the pandemic and factors associated with different patterns of use. Methods Data were obtained from a longitudinal survey of a representative Australian adult sample (N = 1296, 50% female, Mage = 46.0) conducted from March to June 2020, during the first wave of the COVID‐19 outbreak in Australia. Change in alcohol consumption was examined using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Consumption (AUDIT‐C) scores from waves one, three, five, and seven of the study, each 4 weeks apart. Factors associated with alcohol consumption were examined, including depression (PHQ‐9) and anxiety (GAD‐7) symptoms, health risk tolerance, stress and coping, work and social impairment (WSAS), COVID impacts, and sociodemographic variables. We tested changes in alcohol use across the full sample using a mixed effects repeated measure ANOVA model and a multinomial logistic regression to identify factors assessed at wave 1 that were independently associated with alcohol use. Results There was no significant change in AUDIT‐C scores across the study. For most participants, alcohol use did not increase during the early phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Australia. COVID‐19 exposure, higher perceived coping, depression symptoms, and male gender were associated with greater odds of increasing or elevated levels of alcohol use. Social changes, which included working from home, had mixed effects on alcohol consumption. Conclusions Although no evidence was found for increased alcohol use overall during the early months of the pandemic, several factors were associated with alcohol consumption at risky levels. Greater understanding of motivations for drinking across public and private contexts, along with targeted support for high‐risk groups, could assist in reducing harm associated with alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Batterham
- Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Yiyun Shou
- Research School of Psychology, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Louise M Farrer
- Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Kristen Murray
- Research School of Psychology, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Alyssa R Morse
- Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Amelia Gulliver
- Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Tim Slade
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicola C Newton
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alison L Calear
- Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Patrick ME, Terry-McElrath YM, Miech RA, Keyes KM, Jager J, Schulenberg JE. Alcohol use and the COVID-19 pandemic: Historical trends in drinking, contexts, and reasons for use among U.S. adults. Soc Sci Med 2022; 301:114887. [PMID: 35316700 PMCID: PMC8924032 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective The current study used U.S. national data to examine drinking trends prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, focusing on changes in U.S. young- and middle-adult alcohol prevalence, frequency, and drinking contexts and reasons, and whether they differed by age and college status. Methods Data from 2015 to 2020 from 16,987 young adults (ages 19–30) and 23,584 middle adults (ages 35–55) in the national Monitoring the Future study were used to model historical trends and potential 2020 shifts (data collection April 1 to November 30, 2020) in prevalence (30-day, daily, binge drinking) and frequency (30-day, binge drinking). For young adults, data on drinking contexts and negative affect reasons for drinking were examined. Moderation by age and college status was also tested. Results 2020 was associated with (1) downward deviation in 30-day (young and middle adults) and binge drinking (young adults) prevalence; (2) upward deviation in daily drinking prevalence (middle adults); (3) among drinkers, upward deviation in frequency of 30-day (young and middle adults) and binge drinking (young adults); and (4) changes in drinking contexts and reasons among drinkers. Among college students, in particular, 2020 was associated with a downward deviation from expected historical trends in drinking prevalence. Upward deviations in daily prevalence and both binge and 30-day drinking frequency were stronger at ages 25–30 (vs. 19–24) and 35–45 (vs. 50–55). Conclusions Among U.S. young and middle adults, deviations from expected historical trends in population alcohol use that occurred during the pandemic included decreases in alcohol use prevalence, increases in alcohol use frequency, and increases in the use of alcohol to relax/relieve tension and because of boredom. These shifts were likely due, in part, to drinking while alone and at home—which increased during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Patrick
- University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | | | - Richard A Miech
- University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Katherine M Keyes
- Columbia University, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Justin Jager
- Arizona State University, T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - John E Schulenberg
- University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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25
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McBride O, Bunting E, Harkin O, Butter S, Shevlin M, Murphy J, Mason L, Hartman TK, McKay R, Hyland P, Levita L, Bennett KM, Stocks TVA, Gibson-Miller J, Martinez AP, Vallières F, Bentall RP. Testing both affordability-availability and psychological-coping mechanisms underlying changes in alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265145. [PMID: 35324964 PMCID: PMC8947385 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Two theoretical perspectives have been proffered to explain changes in alcohol use during the pandemic: the ‘affordability-availability’ mechanism (i.e., drinking decreases due to changes in physical availability and/or reduced disposable income) and the ‘psychological-coping’ mechanism (i.e., drinking increases as adults attempt to cope with pandemic-related distress). We tested these alternative perspectives via longitudinal analyses of the COVID-19 Psychological Consortium (C19PRC) Study data (spanning three timepoints during March to July 2020). Respondents provided data on psychological measures (e.g., anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, paranoia, extraversion, neuroticism, death anxiety, COVID-19 anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, resilience), changes in socio-economic circumstances (e.g., income loss, reduced working hours), drinking motives, solitary drinking, and ‘at-risk’ drinking (assessed using a modified version of the AUDIT-C). Structural equation modelling was used to determine (i) whether ‘at-risk’ drinking during the pandemic differed from that recalled before the pandemic, (ii) dimensions of drinking motives and the psychosocial correlates of these dimensions, (iii) if increased alcohol consumption was predicted by drinking motives, solitary drinking, and socio-economic changes. The proportion of adults who recalled engaging in ‘at-risk’ drinking decreased significantly from 35.9% pre-pandemic to 32.0% during the pandemic. Drinking to cope was uniquely predicted by experiences of anxiety and/or depression and low resilience levels. Income loss or reduced working hours were not associated with coping, social enhancement, or conformity drinking motives, nor changes in drinking during lockdown. In the earliest stage of the pandemic, psychological-coping mechanisms may have been a stronger driver to changes in adults’ alcohol use than ‘affordability-availability’ alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orla McBride
- Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | - Sarah Butter
- Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland
- University of Sheffield, Sheffield, England
| | | | | | - Liam Mason
- University College London, London, England
| | | | - Ryan McKay
- Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, England
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26
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O'Rourke T, Dale R, Humer E, Plener P, Pieh C. Problematic alcohol use in Austrian apprentices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addict Behav Rep 2022; 15:100414. [PMID: 35224173 PMCID: PMC8863361 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100414] [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: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Problematic alcohol use was twice as likely in apprentices with depressive and anxiety symptoms. Problematic alcohol use was more prevalent in apprentices over 18. Problematic alcohol use was not related to gender, migration background or lockdown.
This study assessed problematic alcohol use in Austrian apprentices during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was performed via REDCap with a sample of 1442 apprentices (53.3% female, 45.4% male, 1.1% non-binary, 28.4% migration background) from 29th March to 18th May 2021. The CAGE questionnaire was used to measure problematic alcohol use. Chi-square tests revealed that problematic alcohol use was more likely in apprentices with depressive symptoms (OR: 2.1), anxiety (OR: 2.1) or insomnia (OR: 1.4) and those over 18 (OR: 1.6). There were no differences in problematic alcohol use according to gender, migration background, or lockdown status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa O'Rourke
- Department for Psychotherapy and Biopsychosocial Health, Danube University Krems, Austria
| | - Rachel Dale
- Department for Psychotherapy and Biopsychosocial Health, Danube University Krems, Austria
| | - Elke Humer
- Department for Psychotherapy and Biopsychosocial Health, Danube University Krems, Austria
| | - Paul Plener
- Department of Child and Adolescence Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,Department of Child and Adolescents Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Christoph Pieh
- Department for Psychotherapy and Biopsychosocial Health, Danube University Krems, Austria
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27
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Gavurova B, Khouri S, Ivankova V, Kubak M. Changes in Alcohol Consumption and Determinants of Excessive Drinking During the COVID-19 Lockdown in the Slovak Republic. Front Public Health 2022; 9:791077. [PMID: 35178372 PMCID: PMC8843933 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.791077] [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: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, countries have been forced to adopt strong restrictions, such as lockdown, which can lead to serious consequences for public health, including the problematic use of addictive substances. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine changes in alcohol consumption and to identify determinants against the background of excessive drinking during the COVID-19 lockdown in the Slovak Republic. The research included 445 respondents (33% males and 67% females), and the data collection through the questionnaire took place from April 29, 2020 to July 1, 2020. Measures such as drinking frequency, amount of alcohol and excessive drinking were used to examine alcohol consumption. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression were used to meet the main aim. The findings provide a closer look at the situation in the Slovak Republic and contribute to comprehensive international knowledge. The frequency of excessive drinking did not change in about half of respondents (53% of males and 69% of females). More respondents decreased their excessive drinking than increased, both among males (31 and 16%, respectively) and females (25 and 6%, respectively). Similar results were found for drinking frequency and amount of alcohol. Amongst Slovak respondents, an increase in excessive drinking was more common among males, younger people, smokers, and smokers who increased smoking during the lockdown. Especially in the case of vulnerable populations, public policies should consider a response to impending problems. The findings of this study encourage the implementation of effective and evidence-based prevention programs, which are more than necessary in the Slovak Republic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Gavurova
- Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnologies, Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Samer Khouri
- Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnologies, Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Viera Ivankova
- Institute of Earth Resources, Faculty of Mining, Ecology, Process Control and Geotechnologies, Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Matus Kubak
- Department of Regional Sciences and Management, Faculty of Economics, Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovakia
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MacNabb K, Blades S, Thompson K, Dutton DJ, Liu T, Asbridge M. Alcohol access and purchasing behaviour during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions: An exploration of sociodemographic, health and psychosocial correlates in two Canadian provinces. Drug Alcohol Rev 2021; 41:902-911. [PMID: 34923690 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alcohol access has changed in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study compares the use of two novel purchasing modes (via delivery and in excess/stockpiling) to traditional, in-person purchasing to determine if their use is associated with sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics, perceived COVID-19 health risk or consumption frequency. METHODS We draw on cross-sectional survey data from 2000 residents of the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, ages 19 years and older that were administered online and by telephone. Associations between purchasing modes and sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics, perceived COVID-19 health risk or consumption frequency were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS About 70% of people who drink purchased in-person, 17% used delivery and 30% purchased in excess/stockpiled. Sociodemographic and psychosocial attributes varied among those at increased odds of using each purchasing mode. Those at higher COVID-19 health risk were at higher odds of getting alcohol delivered. Increased drinking frequency was associated with alcohol delivery and purchasing in excess/stockpiling. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the need for increased public health considerations regarding changes to alcohol regulations. Alcohol delivery and purchasing in excess/stockpiling is positively associated with heavier drinking. Drinkers at higher COVID-19 health risk were more likely to purchase online for delivery, which suggests novel purchasing modes may serve a partial public health function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen MacNabb
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Sarah Blades
- Health Promotion Team, Mental Health and Addictions, IWK Health, Halifax, Canada
| | - Kara Thompson
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Canada
| | - Daniel J Dutton
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Mark Asbridge
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
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