Across the United States, a new analysis of national health data shows a notable uptick in both the number of adults who use alcohol and those who meet criteria for alcohol-related problems after the Covid-19 crisis. The study analyzed data from two waves of the National Health Interview Survey conducted in 2020 and 2022. More than 24 thousand adults participated, with questions covering how much alcohol they consumed, their socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds, and their overall health status. The goal was to understand how the pandemic era shaped drinking patterns and who was most affected.
The findings reveal that in 2020 the share of adults who were current drinkers rose, and there was a noticeable increase in problematic drinking as well. The pattern persisted into 2022, suggesting that three years after the pandemic began, many people had not fully returned to prior healthy patterns of alcohol use. The data hint that stress, disruption of routines, and shifts in work and social life may have contributed to sustained changes in drinking behavior.
Public health researchers propose several mechanisms to explain these shifts. Prolonged stress from the pandemic, social isolation, and economic uncertainty can push people toward drinking as a coping strategy. At the same time, access to healthcare, including screening and treatment for substance use, was disrupted for many, which may have reduced opportunities for early intervention. The combination of these factors could help explain why higher levels of alcohol use persisted into 2022.
Analysts also caution that the pandemic did not affect every group equally. Drinking trajectories varied by age, income, education, race and ethnicity, and existing health conditions. People with mental health symptoms such as anxiety or depression were more likely to report higher consumption. The study underscores that addressing alcohol misuse in the post-pandemic era requires tailored public health responses that consider local contexts and individual risk factors.
Questions linger about what amount of alcohol poses the greatest risk for stroke and other cardiovascular problems. Health experts emphasize that even small increases in drinking can affect heart and brain health, and that risk grows with quantity and pattern of use. When in doubt, many health agencies advise limiting intake, avoiding binge drinking, and seeking medical advice about personal risk, especially for individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, or a history of stroke.
Limitations of the analysis include reliance on self-reported information and the cross-sectional design, which cannot prove causation. The two survey waves provide snapshots rather than a continuous trend, and changes in how questions are asked over time can influence results. Despite these caveats, the study adds to a growing body of evidence that the pandemic period coincided with shifts in drinking behavior and highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and supportive services to help people regain healthier habits.
Together, the findings point toward a need for public health strategies that reduce stress, improve access to care, and promote safer drinking practices. Communities can benefit from outreach programs, increased screening in primary care, and resources to support mental well-being, factors that may collectively curb rising alcohol use and its associated harms in the coming years.