COVID-19 pandemic and alcohol: a problem beyond addiction and psychiatry

Abstract

The increase in alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the major global health problems. Alcohol abuse is caused by many causes, including the stress associated with the pandemic. The problem of alcohol abuse is getting worse by the difficult access of patients to medical care, and lockdown, including a restrained sale of alcohol, can lead to numerous cases of severe alcohol withdrawal, alcohol psychosis and suicide. Excessive alcohol consumption reduces the immune system, increases susceptibility to infection, including SARS-CoV-2, and contributes to the severe course of COVID-19, increasing the likelihood of complications and death. It is assumed that alcohol abuse during the pandemic will have long-term adverse consequences in the form of significant deterioration of public health, an increase in the number of patients with alcohol dependence and alcoholic liver disease, and an excessive burden on global health. Experts justify the need to apply special programs to help people with alcohol use disorders during the pandemic and develop a set of preventive measures to prevent the adverse long-term consequences of excessive alcohol use.