Authorities advise against travel as blizzard warnings continue.

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Perhaps it's no surprise, but people are 

American adults say they're drinking 14 percent more often during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a 

in frequency of drinking for women was more pronounced, up 17 percent compared to last year.

Instances of heavy drinking among women, which for women was defined as four or more drinks within a couple of hours, spiked by 41 percent.

Do you know the signs of addiction?

Hangover could last long after pandemic ends

The study's participants were aged 30 to 80, so the report does not offer insight on the pandemic drinking habits of younger adults

The study took a sample of 1,540 adults and compared their self-reported drinking habits this spring with a year prior. 

many people are using alcohol as a way to relax. Whether it's "

, Americans seem to find a plethora of reasons to drink during the pandemic.

And as people began going to bars less, retail alcohol sales went up. 

Stores sold 54 percent more alcohol in late March compared the year prior, according to 

 relaxed laws during the pandemic to allow expanded alcohol delivery.

. The authors note a limitation of the study: its findings are based on self-reported data that could be skewed due to societal expectations. Nonetheless, they concluded more research could be warranted on alcohol use and its psychological and physical effects during the pandemic.

Earlier this year, the World Health Organization European office 

against excessive drinking and even said access should be limited during the pandemic.

Drinking may be even more dangerous now as it can negatively affect the body's immune system, according to the WHO warning.

"Alcohol compromises the body's immune system and increases the risk of adverse health outcomes," the WHO stated. "Therefore, people should minimize their alcohol consumption at any time, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic." 

Health

COVID-19

Reese Oxner

Author

The study compared drinking habits of adults age 30-80 with their habits a year earlier. The study found the increase is most pronounced among women, for whom days with heavy drinking spiked by 41 percent. 

Americans are drinking 14% more often during pandemic, study finds

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox