Alcohol Misuse, Binge Drinking, and their Associations with Psychosocial Factors during COVID-19 among Harlem Residents in New York City.

This study examined alcohol misuse and binge drinking prevalence among Harlem residents, in New York City, and their associations with psycho-social factors such as substance use, depression symptom severity, and perception of community policing during COVID-19. An online cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 adult residents between April and September 2021. Participants with a score of at least 3 for females or at least 4 for males out of 12 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test were considered to have alcohol misuse. Binge drinking was defined as self-reporting having six or more drinks on one occasion. Modified Poisson regression models were used to examine associations. Results showed that 42.7% used alcohol before COVID-19, 69.1% used it during COVID-19, with 39% initiating or increasing alcohol use during COVID-19. Alcohol misuse and binge drinking prevalence during COVID-19 were 52.3% and 57.0%, respectively. Higher severity of depression symptomatology, history of drug use and smoking cigarettes, and experiencing housing insecurity were positively associated with both alcohol misuse and binge drinking. Lower satisfaction with community policing was only associated with alcohol misuse, while no significant associations were found between employment insecurity and food insecurity with alcohol misuse or binge drinking. The findings suggest that Harlem residents may have resorted to alcohol use as a coping mechanism to deal with the impacts of depression and social stressors during COVID-19. To mitigate alcohol misuse, improving access to mental health and substance use disorder services, and addressing public safety through improving relations with police could be beneficial.

Alcohol Consumption and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

AIMS: To examine the association between alcohol consumption and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was distributed among US adults during May-August 2020 through social networks and ResearchMatch. We collected information on demographic, lifestyles and mental health symptoms including anxiety, depression, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder. Logistic regression models were used to examine the cross-sectional association between alcohol consumption and mental health symptoms. We also examined effect modification by race, age, gender, social support, financial insecurity and quarantine status. RESULTS: The analytical sample consists of 3623 adults. Stable drinking habits and regular drinking behaviors were found to co-exist with better mental health status. Participants who increased their alcohol use had higher odds of developing mental health disorders than those who maintained their pre-pandemic drinking habits. Additionally, participants who engaged in binge drinking during the pandemic had higher odds of depression and stress than those who did not. The associations regarding increased drinking and binge drinking in relation to adverse mental health outcomes were stronger among females, racial minorities, and individuals with financial concerns, poor social support and restricted quarantine status than their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: During the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased alcohol use and binge drinking are cross-sectionally associated with higher odds of mental health disorders, which highlighted the need for targeted intervention to address the mental health needs of individuals who have engaged in these behaviors, especially among females, minorities, those with insecurities or with restricted quarantine status.

Person-centered patterns of substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic and their associations with COVID-related impacts on health and personal finances in young Black and White women.

BACKGROUND: Population-level statistics on pandemic-related change in substance use can obscure patterns of use (e.g., polysubstance use) within individuals. This longitudinal study used a person-centered approach to identify subgroups with respect to patterns of substance use prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to examine profile correlates (e.g., socio-demographic characteristics), which can inform tailored intervention. METHODS: The two youngest age cohorts of the Pittsburgh Girls Study (n = 938; 59.1 % Black, 40.9 % White; mean age= 26.2 (SD= 0.8)), a longitudinal community sample, provided data on past year frequency of cigarette/e-cigarette use, binge drinking (>4 drinks per occasion), and cannabis use prior to and during the pandemic, and perceived change in use. Latent profile analysis identified subgroups. Profile correlates were examined (e.g., sociodemographics, COVID-19 infection status and reported exposure, COVID-19 impacts on psychological health and finances). RESULTS: Seven profiles were identified: "Low use", "Occasional binge drinking", "Cannabis use", "Cigarette/e-cigarette & binge drinking", "Occasional binge drinking & cannabis", "Binge drinking & cannabis", and "Polysubstance use". Black women were overrepresented in "Low use", which was associated with fewer pandemic effects on health. Profiles associated with more frequent binge drinking were more likely to report COVID-19 infection, whereas "Cannabis use" had lower reported infection prevalence. "Polysubstance use" had more COVID-related depression and income loss, on average, than "Low use". CONCLUSIONS: Distinct subgroups representing single substance use, co-use, and polysubstance use prior to and during the pandemic were identified. The profiles show differential response to COVID-19 impacts, ranging from relative hardiness to specific needs to guide personalized treatment.

Change in Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking in University Students During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives: Young adults have been overly affected by the containment measures against COVID-19 and, consequently, worsening in mental health and change in health behavior have been reported. Because the life phase of emerging adulthood is crucial for developing health behaviors, this study aims to examine increase in alcohol consumption, single and multiple binge drinking, and associated factors in students during lockdown and post-lockdown periods. Methods: A prospective open cohort study design with nine survey time points between April 2020 and June 2021 was conducted. The present study uses pooled data from the first survey T0 (3 April to 14 April) and follow-ups at T1 (30 April to 11 May 2020) and T2 (28 May to 8 June 2020). Students from all faculties of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) (N = 12'431) were invited. Of the 1,300 students who participated at baseline and in at least one follow-up, 1,278 (98.3%) completed the questionnaires, final net sample size was 947. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models were used to investigate the factors associated with increases in alcohol consumption based on number of occasions/last 30 days; drinks/week, and binge drinking at T0, and respective changes at T1 and T2 (increases, decreases, no change). Results: Overall, 20% of Swiss university students reported an increased alcohol consumption and 26% engaged in binge drinking. Number of drinks at baseline was associated with a higher probability of increased alcohol consumption, as well as engaging in single and multiple binge drinking events. Higher anxiety scores were associated with a higher probability to increase the alcohol consumption and engaging at least once in binge drinking. Additional factors associated with any binge drinking were male gender, younger age and not living with parents. Higher perceived social support was only associated with engaging in heavy binge drinking. Conclusions: A substantial number of students developed a more risky health behavior regarding alcohol consumption. It is important to identify at risk students and design target prevention including factors such as age, gender and social norms. Further, health behavior and determinants of health behaviors of students should be carefully monitored during the further course of the pandemic.

Predictors of reported alcohol intake during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada among middle-aged and older adults: results from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).

OBJECTIVE: To examine proportions and predictors of change in alcohol intake and binge drinking during the first 2 waves of the COVID-19 pandemic among middle-aged and older participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) COVID-19 Questionnaire Study. METHODS: A total of 28,559 (67.2% of the potential sample) CLSA participants consented to the study with 24,114 completing the exit survey (fall 2020). Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions to examine predictors of change (increase or decrease) in alcohol intake and binge drinking were performed. RESULTS: Among alcohol users, 26.3% reported a change in alcohol consumption during the first 10 months of the pandemic. Similar percentages increased (13.0%) or decreased (13.3%) consumption. In our mutually adjusted logistic regression model, odds of change in alcohol intake were greater for younger age, higher income, current cannabis smoker, positive screen for depression, anxiety, and loneliness. The magnitude of all associations for decreased intake was less than that of increased intake, and the directions were opposite for male sex and age. Predictors of current binge drinking (27.9% of alcohol users) included male sex, younger age, higher education and income, cannabis use, depression, and anxiety. CONCLUSION: Factors predictive of potentially worrisome alcohol use (i.e. increased intake, binge drinking) included younger age, sex, greater education and income, living alone, cannabis use, and worse mental health. Some of these factors were also associated with decreased intake, but the magnitudes of associations were smaller. This information may help direct screening efforts and interventions towards individuals at risk for problematic alcohol intake during the pandemic.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Examiner les proportions et les prédicteurs des changements dans la consommation d'alcool et l'hyperalcoolisation rapide au cours des deux premières vagues de la pandémie de COVID-19 chez les personnes âgées et d'âge moyen ayant participé à l'étude par questionnaire sur la COVID-19 de l'Étude longitudinale canadienne sur le vieillissement (ELCV). MéTHODE: Un total de 28 559 participants de l'ELCV (67,2 % de l'échantillon potentiel) ont consenti à l'étude sur la COVID-19, et 24 114 ont répondu à l'enquête à la sortie (automne 2020). Nous avons procédé par statistique descriptive et par régression logistique pour examiner les prédicteurs des changements (augmentation ou diminution) dans la consommation d'alcool et l'hyperalcoolisation rapide. RéSULTATS: Chez les consommateurs d'alcool, 26,3 % ont déclaré un changement de leur consommation d'alcool au cours des 10 premiers mois de la pandémie. Un pourcentage semblable de consommateurs d'alcool avaient accru (13 %) ou diminué (13,3 %) leur consommation. Dans notre modèle de régression logistique mutuellement ajusté, la probabilité de changement dans la consommation d'alcool était plus élevée chez les répondants plus jeunes, les répondants au revenu élevé, les fumeurs de cannabis actuels et les répondants ayant fait état de dépression, d'anxiété ou de solitude. Les associations avec la diminution de la consommation étaient moins significatives qu'avec l'augmentation de la consommation, et elles allaient dans le sens opposé pour ce qui est du sexe masculin et de l'âge. Les prédicteurs de l'hyperalcoolisation rapide actuelle (27,9 % des consommateurs d'alcool) étaient le sexe masculin, l'âge plus jeune, l'instruction et le revenu élevés, la consommation de cannabis, la dépression et l'anxiété. CONCLUSION: Les facteurs pouvant prédire une consommation d'alcool potentiellement inquiétante (c.-à-d. consommation accrue, hyperalcoolisation rapide) étaient l'âge plus jeune, le sexe, l'instruction et le revenu élevés, le fait de vivre seul, la consommation de cannabis et la moins bonne santé mentale. Certains de ces facteurs étaient aussi associés à une consommation réduite, mais ces associations étaient moins significatives. Ces informations pourraient orienter les efforts de dépistage et les interventions auprès des personnes à risque de consommation problématique d'alcool durant la pandémie.

Binge Drinking Relates to Worse Neurocognitive Functioning Among Adults Aging with HIV.

OBJECTIVE: Given the aging population of people with HIV (PWH), along with increasing rates of binge drinking among both PWH and the general older adult population, this study examined the independent and interactive effects of HIV, binge drinking, and age on neurocognition. METHOD: Participants were 146 drinkers stratified by HIV and binge drinking status (i.e., ≥4 drinks for women and ≥5 drinks for men within approximately 2 h): HIV+/Binge+ (n = 30), HIV-/Binge+ (n = 23), HIV+/Binge- (n = 55), HIV-/Binge- (n = 38). All participants completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery measuring demographically-corrected global and domain-specific neurocognitive T scores. ANCOVA models examined independent and interactive effects of HIV and binge drinking on neurocognitive outcomes, adjusting for overall alcohol consumption, lifetime substance use, sex, and age. Subsequent multiple linear regressions examined whether HIV/Binge group moderated the relationship between age and neurocognition. RESULTS: HIV+/Binge+ participants had worse global neurocognition, processing speed, delayed recall, and working memory than HIV-/Binge- participants (p's < .05). While there were significant main effects of HIV and binge drinking, their interaction did not predict any of those neurocognitive outcomes (p's > .05). Significant interactions between age and HIV/Binge group showed that HIV+/Binge+ participants demonstrated steeper negative relationships between age and neurocognitive outcomes of learning, delayed recall, and motor skills compared to HIV-/Binge- participants (p's < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Results showed adverse additive effects of HIV and binge drinking on neurocognitive functioning, with older adults demonstrating the most vulnerability to these effects. Findings support the need for interventions to reduce binge drinking, especially among older PWH.

Longer time spent at home during COVID-19 pandemic is associated with binge drinking among US adults.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced and exacerbated stressors (e.g., job loss, poor mental health) for adults across the United States (US) since the first statewide shelter-in-place order on March 19, 2020. Limited research has evaluated if, and how, pandemic-related stressors are associated with changes in alcohol consumption and binge drinking.Objectives: This analysis aims to identify COVID-19-related stressors associated with changes in alcohol consumption and binge drinking since the outbreak of the coronavirus.Methods: Data were collected on sociodemographics, alcohol consumption, and COVID-19-related stressors (household composition, job status, essential worker, stay-at-home duration, and depression) using a web-based, self-report survey to US adults from mid-March to mid-April 2020. Multivariable logistic and multinomial regression models were used to assess associations between COVID-19-related stressors and binge drinking and changes in alcohol consumption. Among 1,982 participants, 69% were female and 31% male.Results: Thirty-four percent of the sample reported binge drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic. More binge drinkers increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic (60%) than non-binge drinkers (28%). After adjusting for sociodemographics, for every 1-week increase in time spent at home during the pandemic, there was 1.19 (95% CI: 1.06-1.34) greater odds of binge drinking. Additionally, binge drinkers with a previous diagnosis of depression and current depression symptoms had greater odds of increased alcohol consumption compared to those reporting no depression (AOR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.73).Conclusion: Specific COVID-19-related stressors are related to alcohol consumption. This highlights the ancillary and unintended effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which could have long-lasting population health consequences.