COVID-19 Pandemic Experiences and Hazardous Alcohol Use: Findings of Higher and Lower Risk in a Heavy-Drinking Midwestern State

Justinian Wurtzel, Paul A. Gilbert (), Loulwa Soweid and Gaurab Maharjan
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Justinian Wurtzel: Bureau of HIV, STI, and Hepatitis, Division of Public Health, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Des Moines, IA 50319, USA
Paul A. Gilbert: Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
Loulwa Soweid: Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
Gaurab Maharjan: Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 8, 1-13

Abstract: This study assessed whether COVID-19 pandemic experiences were associated with excessive alcohol use during the first year of the pandemic in Iowa, a heavy-drinking midwestern US state. We analyzed survey data from 4047 adult residents of Iowa collected in August 2020, focusing on three pandemic-related stressors (e.g., emotional reactions to the pandemic; disruption of daily activities; and financial hardship) and salient social support. Using multiple logistic regression, we tested correlates of increased drinking, heavy drinking, and binge drinking, controlling for demographic characteristics and health status. We found that nearly half (47.6%) of respondents did not change their drinking compared to before the pandemic; however, 12.4% of respondents reported increasing their drinking and 5.3% reported decreasing their drinking. Emotional reactions to the pandemic and disruption of daily activities were associated with higher odds of increased drinking, and rurality was associated with lower odds of increased drinking. No pandemic-related stressor was associated with heavy or binge drinking, but social support was associated with lower odds of binge drinking. Thus, we concluded that some pandemic-related stressors may explain increased drinking but not heavy or binge drinking. Understanding the nuances of alcohol use can inform preventive interventions, policy decisions, and preparations for future catastrophic events.

Keywords: COVID-19; stress; alcohol drinking; binge drinking; social support (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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