Alcohol and COVID-19: How Do We Respond to This Growing Public Health Crisis?

Before the onset of COVID-19, the USA was experiencing rising rates of alcohol use, high-risk drinking, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) with negative consequences including increases in alcohol-related morbidity and mortality.[1] As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is likely that the USA will see further increases in alcohol consumption similar to those observed in the UK[2] and Australia,[3] raising significant public health concerns. There is also widespread social disruption and isolation, while at the same time, social support and access to medical care have been delayed or limited due to stay-at-home orders and COVID-19 restrictions. [Extracted from the article]