Stress has been shown to contribute to increased alcohol use among drinkers. And right now, we’re all stressed – especially women, who are dealing with online school, child care, career concerns, and financial worries, just to name a few. But, are Americans really drinking more during the pandemic? The answer isn’t so clear. What is clear is that alcohol use has been increasing over the years for women but not for men. And, when we use alcohol as a way to cope with stress, it negatively affects our mental and physical health, our relationships, and our overall wellbeing. Dr. Aaron White is the Senior Scientific Advisor to the Director at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He’s a biological psychologist who has studied the effects of alcohol and other drugs on the brain for 25 years. Dr. White shares tips to make it easier to deal with or reduce the motivation to drink as a way to cope with life during a pandemic. He also discusses trends in Americans’ alcohol use over the last century, the impacts of alcohol on our health, and the benefits of cutting back – even if it’s just for one “Dry January” out of the year.

Listen to this episode to learn:-Why the gap between men’s and women’s alcohol use is shrinking, and reasons why women are drinking more-What science says about the long- and short-term effects of alcohol on our mood and mental health-Why there’s no one “healthier” alcohol than another (sorry, red wine, you’re not better for me than a margarita)-Tips to examine your relationship with alcohol and decide if you want to cut back or take a break from drinking-Trends in adolescents’ alcohol use and the connection to mental health issues-Why it’s never too early to model responsible behavior and talk to your kids about alcohol, no matter their age-Resources to take a closer look at your relationship with alcohol (check out the NIAAA Rethinking Drinking website and the Treatment Navigator)

For more information, visit https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/