An ongoing study by the Canadian Red Cross suggests a portion of adults who use alcohol and cannabis have increased their consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest results show that 26 per cent of those who use alcohol, consumed more than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic while 11 per cent used less.
Of those who used cannabis, 27 per cent reported using it more frequently than during an average month prior to the pandemic, while 12 per cent reported using it less.
The result is a 15 per cent net gain in the consumption of substances, including a 23 per cent net gain in alcohol consumption among 18 to 34-year-olds.
This prompted a cautionary message from the Red Cross and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.
Medical and Science Advisor Dr. Paul Hebert says while most young adults are consuming no more – or even less – alcohol, there is some concern for those heading in the other direction.
He says the pandemic is often a magnifier of pre-existing emotional vulnerabilities.
In the three months the study was conducted, vulnerabilities shown to be more pronounced among young adults included sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness.
Nearly half have also reported feeling anxious, restless, or uneasy.
Chief Executive Officer of CCSA, Rita Notarandrea says these vulnerabilities could be related to stress, anxiety, loneliness, boredom and a lack of regular routine.
As the pandemic continues, Notarandrea encourages Canadians to explore positive ways of coping with COVID-19 and to keep health risks low by using alcohol responsibly.
