Before and After the Pandemic: Alcohol Consumption and Related Problems in Argentina

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and isolation measures on alcohol consumption remains unknown among Latin-American countries. This paper characterizes differences in related problems before after Argentinians from different genders, age groups, income levels, behaviors regarding acquisition alcoholic beverages. Through an online survey 1446 participants were assessed four dimensions (frequency, quantity, heavy episodic drinking -HED- alcohol-related problems) three months prior first cases country subsequent lockdown measures. Overall, reported small reductions for usual moderate ones HED problems. As expected, very high found those underage (14 to 18 years), young adults (19 24 years). Those who had increase did not report changes consumption, while whose remained equal or lowered reductions. special acquire (e.g. pre-stocking) informed decreases compared did. study provides new evidence environmental factors public health, suggesting restricted access generates a significant decrease