Drinking On The Rise: Pandemic's Lasting Impact

The Covid-19 pandemic brought a surge in alcohol consumption that hasn't slowed down. Dr. Brian Lee, a liver specialist, noticed more patients with severe liver issues due to excessive drinking. A recent study, led by Lee, found that alcohol use in the US increased in 2020 and kept rising in 2021 and 2022. The study used data from the National Health Interview Survey and compared it to 2018. Both men and women across all racial and ethnic groups drank more.Heavy drinking also went up, with women more likely to be heavy drinkers. Stress from job loss, disrupted routines, and caring for kids might have pushed people to drink more. The pandemic saw a record number of alcohol-related deaths, with over 49, 000 in 2020. Experts suggest stricter alcohol policies and better awareness campaigns to tackle this issue.