Introduction Restrictions to do with the COVID-19 pandemic have had substantial unintended consequences on Canadians’ alcohol consumption patterns, including increased emotional distress and its potential impact on alcohol use. This study examines 1) changes in adults’ alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; 2) whether drinking more frequently during the pandemic is associated with increased feelings of stress, loneliness and hopelessness; and 3) whether gender moderates this relationship. Methods Participants were drawn from a cross-sectional survey of 2000 adults. Adjusted multinomial regression models were used to assess the association between drinking frequency and increased feelings of stress, loneliness and hopelessness. Additional analyses were stratified by gender. Results About 12% of respondents reported drinking more frequently after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 25%–40% reported increased emotional distress. Increased feelings of stress (odds ratio [OR] = 1.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35–2.93), loneliness (OR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.22–2.61) and hopelessness (OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.21–3.23) were all associated with drinking more frequently during the pandemic. While women respondents reported higher rates of emotional distress, significant associations with increased drinking frequency were only observed among men in gender-stratified analyses. Conclusion Individuals who report increased feelings of stress, loneliness and hopelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to report increased drinking frequency; however, these associations were only significant for men in stratified analyses. Understanding how the pandemic is associated with mental health and drinking may inform alcohol control policies and public health interventions to minimize alcohol-related harm.

Introduction. Alcohol access has changed in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study compares the use of two novel purchasing modes (via delivery and in excess/stockpiling) to traditional, in-person purchasing to determine if their use is associated with sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics, perceived COVID-19 health risk or consumption frequency. Methods. We draw on cross-sectional survey data from 2000 residents of the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, ages 19 years and older that were administered online and by telephone. Associations between purchasing modes and sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics, perceived COVID-19 health risk or consumption frequency were assessed using logistic regression. Results. About 70% of people who drink purchased in-person, 17% used delivery and 30% purchased in excess/stockpiled. Sociodemographic and psychosocial attributes varied among those at increased odds of using each purchasing mode. Those at higher COVID-19 health risk were at higher odds of getting alcohol delivered. Increased drinking frequency was associated with alcohol delivery and purchasing in excess/stockpiling. Discussion and Conclusions. This study highlights the need for increased public health considerations regarding changes to alcohol regulations. Alcohol delivery and purchasing in excess/stockpiling is positively associated with heavier drinking. Drinkers at higher COVID-19 health risk were more likely to purchase online for delivery, which suggests novel purchasing modes may serve a partial public health function.

Introduction Les restrictions liées à la pandémie de COVID 19 ont eu des effets pervers importants sur les habitudes de consommation d’alcool des Canadiens, en particulier l’émergence d’une plus grande détresse émotionnelle et ses répercussions potentielles sur la consommation d’alcool. Cette étude examine : 1) les modifications de la consommation d’alcool des adultes pendant la pandémie de COVID 19 au Nouveau Brunswick et en Nouvelle Écosse, 2) si le fait de boire de l’alcool plus fréquemment pendant la pandémie est associé à des ressentis accrus de stress, de solitude et de désespoir et 3) si le genre a un effet modérateur sur cette relation. Méthodes Les participants ont été sélectionnés à partir d’une enquête transversale menée auprès de 2 000 adultes. Des modèles de régression multinomiale ajustés ont été utilisés pour évaluer l’association entre la fréquence de consommation d’alcool et l’augmentation des ressentis de stress, de solitude et de désespoir. Des analyses supplémentaires ont été stratifiées selon le genre. Résultats Environ 12 % des répondants ont déclaré avoir bu de l’alccol plus fréquemment après le début de la pandémie de COVID 19, et 25 à 40 % ont fait état d’une augmentation de leur détresse émotionnelle. L’augmentation des ressentis de stress (rapport de cotes [RC] = 1,99; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % : 1,35 à 2,93), de solitude (RC = 1,79; IC à 95 % : 1,22 à 2,61) et de désespoir (RC = 1,98; IC à 95 % : 1,21 à 3,23) était associée à une consommation d’alcool plus fréquente pendant la pandémie. Quoique les femmes interrogées aient signalé des taux supérieurs de détresse émotionnelle, les associations avec une augmentation de la fréquence de consommation d’alcool n’étaient significatives que chez les hommes dans les analyses stratifiées selon le genre. Conclusion Si les individus ayant fait état de ressentis accrus de stress, de solitude et de désespoir pendant la pandémie de COVID 19 étaient plus nombreux à déclarer une fréquence accrue de consommation d’alcool, ces associations n’étaient significatives que pour les hommes dans les analyses stratifiées. Comprendre comment la pandémie a eu une influence sur la santé mentale et à la consommation d’alcool peut éclairer les politiques de contrôle de l’alcool et les interventions en santé publique visant à limiter les méfaits de l’alcool.