Drinking during Covid pandemic increased rates of common disease, study finds
Transplant centres across the US are grappling with a surge in alcohol-related liver disease cases, directly attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Doctors report a significant increase in patients needing liver transplants, with numbers doubling compared to pre-pandemic levels. Traditionally, older men were the primary candidates for liver transplants, but the demographic has shifted dramatically. Now, individuals in their 20s and 30s, including a growing number of women, find themselves in dire need of life-saving transplants due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Since the pandemic's onset, doctors have witnessed a disturbing trend - a rise in harmful alcohol use, leading to associated liver diseases. Stressors such as the fear of contracting the virus, financial instability, and social isolation have exacerbated alcohol consumption among Americans. The normalisation of daytime drinking, spurred on by virtual events like Zoom cocktail hours, has also played a significant role in this increase.
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Stress, isolation, and changed drinking norms contribute to a surge in alcohol-related diseases (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Dr Maarouf Hoteit, the medical director of liver transplants at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, spoke of the surge in hospitalisations due to alcohol-related liver injury and the subsequent rise in referrals for liver transplantation, especially since the pandemic. He told ABC News: "It's a nationwide phenomenon where, since the pandemic, there has been a notable increase in alcohol use, including harmful alcohol use where there is associated liver disease, and it has led to increased hospitalisation of patients with liver injury due to alcohol."
Dr Elizabeth Pomfret, the chief of surgery at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, said: "There was also a culture of coping with things through having Zoom cocktail hours and Zoom cooking lessons…and so I think people in general often found that they were drinking a lot more alcohol than they typically did. They might be drinking during the week, when that wasn't something they normally did."
Younger adults, even women, now dominate the demographic of liver transplant candidates (Getty Images)She then highlighted the drastic change in the approach to transplant procedures. She explained that patients with alcohol-related liver disease often presented extremely ill, leaving no time for the traditional period of abstinence and counselling. The focus shifted to a more immediate inclusion on the transplant list, requiring collaboration with specialists in addiction medicine, rehabilitation, psychiatry, and social work to address severe alcohol use, according to the expert.
Dr. Robert Cannon, the surgical director for liver transplant at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, pointed out the evolution in transplant criteria. He mentioned that transplant centres had become more accepting of patients with recent histories of drinking, a shift from previous rigid guidelines. Over 85% of centres were now willing to transplant patients with recent drinking habits, reflecting a change in medical practice.
Dr Cannon noted: "Ten years ago, no one would transplant a patient if they've had a drink in the last six months. Now, more recently, over 85% of centres will transplant patients with recent drinking."
A significant challenge in this crisis is the stigma associated with alcohol use disorder. Fear of judgment often prevents individuals from seeking help. Healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of viewing alcohol use disorder as a treatable disease rather than a moral failing. Efforts are underway to reduce the stigma surrounding alcohol-related illnesses, promoting a more compassionate and understanding approach to treatment.
Apart from social stigma, the scarcity of mental health resources and substance abuse assistance further compounds the issue. Addressing this shortage is crucial in providing comprehensive support to those battling alcohol-related liver disease.
Medical experts unanimously stress the need for a shift in societal attitudes and increased access to mental health resources. By focusing on treating alcohol use disorder as a healthcare problem and providing judgment-free support, there is hope for those struggling with alcohol-related liver disease. As the nation grapples with this crisis, breaking down barriers to treatment and offering a second chance to individuals battling addiction becomes paramount.
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