The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) recently published a study that reveals a significant increase in alcohol-related deaths and hospitalisations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings highlight the profound impact of increased alcohol consumption, with deaths soaring by 18% and hospitalisations rising by 8% compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Retail alcohol sales in Canada rose by 2% in 2020/21 compared to 2019—the highest increase in a decade—despite limited international tourism. Survey data suggests that more than one in four Canadians (26%) reported drinking more during the pandemic, while 18% admitted to heavy drinking (defined as five or more drinks for men and four or more for women in a single sitting).

Researchers analysed alcohol-related deaths and hospitalisations between 2016 and 2022, distinguishing between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Their findings indicate that alcohol-related deaths increased by about 18% over the three-year pandemic period, with the most substantial rise occurring in 2020 and 2021 (about 24%). This equated to approximately 1,600 excess deaths beyond expectations. Hospitalisations followed a similar trend, rising by 8% over the entire pandemic period with a peak increase of 14% in 2020/21.

A researcher from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Dr. Yipu Shi, said, "The 1596 extra deaths and 7142 extra hospitalisations fully attributable to alcohol we observed in Canada during the pandemic period that we studied show the substantial harms of increased alcohol consumption that can occur given circumstances, availability, and the need for strong interventions."

The study found considerable regional variation in alcohol-related deaths, with the highest increases recorded in the Prairie provinces (28%) and British Columbia (24%). These excess rates were three times higher than those in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces and six to seven times higher than in Quebec. Hospitalisation rates also spiked in the Prairies and northern territories.

Younger adults, particularly those aged 25–44, exhibited the highest increase in excess deaths, while those aged 15–44 experienced the most significant spike in hospitalisations. Notably, hospitalisations among females increased at three times the rate among males, which the researchers suggest could serve as an early indicator of future liver disease in women.

The Canadian findings mirror trends in other countries. The United States saw a 29% rise in alcohol-related deaths in 2020/21, while Europe reported an 18% increase. Experts attribute the spike in alcohol consumption to pandemic-induced stress, boredom, declining mental health, and easier access to alcohol.

The study underscores the necessity for timely and comprehensive public health responses to curb high-risk drinking behaviours before they develop into an alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcohol-related liver disease (ALD).

“Our findings highlight the importance of timely interventions to prevent high-risk drinking from developing into AUD or ALD. A comprehensive approach to preventing and managing high-risk drinking, AUD, and ALD in the aftermath of the pandemic should comprise both public health and clinical management interventions,” the researchers concluded.

With alcohol-related harms escalating, experts emphasise the urgency of implementing preventive measures, increasing awareness, and ensuring accessible treatment options to mitigate long-term health risks.