Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

August 6, 2020

Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Alcohol Consumption in Patients with Pre-Existing Alcohol Use Disorder

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  • Kim et al. conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey among patients with pre-existing alcohol disorders (n=182) in London 2 months after lockdown started in the UK. During lockdown, 43 (24%) reported an increase and 34 (19%) reported a decrease in their alcohol intake as assessed by AUDIT score. In a subset of 69 (38%) patients who were abstinent before lockdown, 12 (17%) relapsed during lockdown. Mean AUDIT score within the relapse group was 16 (SD 10), representing a 226% mean increase with a mean weekly consumption of 49 units (SD 63) during lockdown.  

Kim et al. (Aug 4, 2020). Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Alcohol Consumption in Patients with Pre-Existing Alcohol Use Disorder. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(20)30251-X