In another study in Croatia, while similar drinking patterns were seen in both males and females, the greatest increase in those that drank more than 15 drinks weekly was seen in males (Đogaš et al., 2020). In Austria, patients with alcohol use disorder who had psychosocial COVID-19 factors (anxiety, depression) had an increased risk of relapsing compared to patients not reporting psychosocial impact of COVID-19. In a general population cross-sectional study in Poland, a higher tendency to drink more was found among alcohol addicts compared to non-addicts (Sidor and Rzymski, 2020); and individuals who had current suicidal thoughts were more likely to drink more alcohol than before the pandemic than those without such thoughts (Chodkiewicz et al., 2020). Again, in a Russian sample, respondents who reported increased alcohol use, compared to those who did not, had higher levels of depression (Gritsenko et al., 2020) and the UK, those who increased alcohol use during the initial lockdown period were those with higher depression (Sallie et al., 2020). Similarly, mediation analyses suggested a significant indirect effect of reduced environmental reward with drinking quantity and frequency via increased depressive symptoms and coping motives (McPhee et al., 2020).

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  • Furthermore, heavy drinking is not recommended for all alcoholic beverages.
  • Since the outermost membrane of SARS-CoV-2 contains lipids, alcohol is effective against it.
  • Several anecdotal reports suggest that alcohol intolerance may be linked to long COVID, specifically the post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) type.
  • If we continue to follow the path of others after periods of economic and psychological stress (e.g., the occurrences of natural disasters , disease outbreaks , and terrorist attacks ), then we should expect to see an increase in rates of alcohol misuse and dependence in two to three years.
  • Five studies found a statistically significant role of solitude in increasing alcohol use during the pandemic.
  • After the self-controlled case series, studies found that myocarditis after vaccination is higher in men younger than 40 years old, particularly after the second dose of the mRNA-1273 vaccine .

For these reasons, experts recommend avoiding alcohol before and after the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid excessive drinking, particularly near the time of vaccination. Alcohol suppresses the immune system, making the vaccine less effective.

Receive program updates and the latest research and insights from our public health experts Together, we can accelerate our response to public health’s most critical issues. However, it should be noted that the content of Drug awareness this study is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Montgomery County, Maryland Alcohol Beverage Services.

The Impacts of Alcohol Consumption on the Immune System

First, we identified some independent protective and risk factors for COVID-19. For example, to assess the amount of weekly intake of red wine, subjects were asked to answer the question. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has revealed how readily viruses spread in our interconnected world. Regional health leaders agree on actions to promote health through schools, harness traditional and complementary medicine

This highlights the consequences of sudden and long-term lockdown on the ability of those dependent on substances to access these, and the potential consequences of withdrawal, both physically and psychologically. Moreover, a recent systematic review demonstrated that mood and anxiety disorders were particularly prevalent in substance-use treatment clients, with the prevalence of current depression ranging from 27% to 85% and current generalised anxiety disorder ranging from 1% to 75% (Kingston et al., 2017). It is also assumed that COVID-19 may impede substance use disorder treatment, increasing potential relapse (Dubey et al., 2020, Ornell et al., 2020, Vecchio et al., 2020). However, others have suggested that drug trafficking would be severely obstructed during lockdown leading to less use and substance withdrawal (Lapeyre-Mestre et al., 2020). The consequences on the mental health of individuals are multifarious and can include adverse psychological responses such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, self-harm and suicide (Brooks et al., 2020, Czeisler et al., 2020, Dubey et al., 2020, Galea et al., 2020; González-Sanguino et al., 2020).

What side effects can I expect from vaccines?

We then performed two separate adjusted logistic regressions to determine whether the primary exposure variable predicted the likelihood of the binary outcomes of engaging in binge drinking at least once or engaging in extreme binge drinking over the past 30 days. In a sensitivity analysis, we conducted Poisson regressions examining the number of days out of the past 30 days on which alcohol was consumed and the total number of drinks consumed over the past 30 days. We conducted unadjusted t-tests, χ2 tests, and ANOVAs to test for differences in alcohol consumption between demographic groups, including gender, race, ethnicity, household income, and households with children. Participants who reported increased intake were asked why and given eight answer choices plus a blank space to add any additional answers and told to “Check all that apply”.

Additionally, an online survey of over 1000 mostly female young adults in Poland found that 14.6% reported an increase in alcohol consumption . They found that the frequency of alcohol consumption increased both overall and for specific demographics. Other studies from across the world have also found some increases in alcohol consumption during COVID-19. Those participants who reported being very or extremely impacted by COVID-19, consumed more alcohol (including both on more days and more total drinks) in the past 30 days. Of those who consumed alcohol over the past 30 days, 34.1% reported binge drinking at least once and 7.0% reported extreme binge drinking over the past 30 days.

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Twelve quantitative studies (26.7%) asked shorter or individual questions about self-reported frequency or behavioural changes of substance (e.g., Ballivian et al., 2020) and if any change was functionally related to the pandemic or any other reason (i.e., through stress; Czeisler et al., 2020). Religion was reported to play a role in decreasing alcohol use; last month binge drinking because of COVID-19 was reported by 10.3% of secular respondents compared to only 5.0% who were religious (Gritsenko et al., 2020), as was being a student (Vanderbruggen et al., 2020). However, in this study 15.7% of participants with children drank less than before the pandemic, but the paper does not give the actual data to compare to those without children (Chodkiewicz et al., 2020). In a cross-sectional USA survey, those with children had significantly higher odds of an Medications Affecting Liver increase in alcohol consumption compared to those without (Knell et al., 2020).

The COVID-19 vaccine can cause side effects such as fever, headache, muscle pain, chills, fatigue, and nausea. This can lead to dizziness, fatigue, and other treatment for alcohol symptoms that are already common side effects of the vaccine. Dehydration is a common side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine, and it can be made worse by consuming alcohol. The immunosuppressive effects of alcohol allow viruses and bacteria to invade the lungs more easily, leading to respiratory infections. This is because alcohol impairs the immune system by suppressing cell-mediated immunity and weakening the body’s ability to defend against infections in the respiratory system.

However, the pathways linking mental health and alcohol use are not always discernable and unidirectional. In the former study, participants without access to legal cannabis and those with fewer responsibilities were more likely to report decreased frequency of cannabis (Boehnke et al., 2020). Adjustment predictors, including depression and fear of the infectivity of COVID-19, predicted using solitary substance use during the pandemic (Dumas et al., 2020). Concerns for how social distancing would affect peer reputation was a significant predictor of face-to-face substance use with friends amongst adolescents with low self-reported popularity and a significant predictor of solitary substance use among average and high popularity teens.

There are several in vitro studies suggesting the negative impact of the S protein on endothelial barrier function 47,48,49. The S protein has been reported to mediate pro-inflammatory and/or damaging (of various etiologies) responses in various human cell types 44,45. Suggestions have been published that the spike protein may be responsible for the long-term effects of COVID-19, such as rare neurological complications, including Guillain–Barre syndrome and Bell’s palsy . A maximum concentration (14.6 μg/mL) of S proteins in blood serum was detected 24 h after vaccination and was reduced within 10 days . Ethanol can harm immune cells due to the formation of free radicals during metabolism, but antioxidants should provide protection against this .

While the risk is low for moderate intake, the risk goes up as the amount you drink goes up. This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article. MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

In Russia, health officials advised against drinking for at least two months after receiving the Sputnik V vaccine, while the vaccine’s developer suggested abstaining for three days after each injection. Therefore, it is advisable to abstain or reduce alcohol consumption, especially when receiving a vaccine, as it may hinder your immune system’s ability to respond effectively. Additionally, drinking alcohol may negatively impact your immune system, which is crucial for a successful vaccine response. Therefore, drinking alcohol may worsen these side effects, and it can be challenging to differentiate between vaccine side effects and hangover symptoms. While there is no official recommendation on drinking alcohol before or after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, health experts advise against it.

Prior to developing COVID-19, she could comfortably consume alcohol. In a March 2021 blog post, neurologist Georgia Lea discussed the potential connection between long COVID, specifically the PVFS type, and alcohol intolerance. While research on alcohol intolerance post-COVID-19 is limited, numerous anecdotal reports suggest that alcohol intolerance could be a symptom of long COVID for some individuals. According to several anecdotal reports, alcohol intolerance, which is characterized by reactions like nausea, low blood pressure, fatigue, and dizziness when consuming alcohol, may be a unique symptom of long COVID. Several anecdotal reports suggest that alcohol intolerance may be linked to long COVID, specifically the post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) type.

Some evidence suggests that post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome may share characteristics with ME/CFS, a condition where approximately 4 out of 5 people exhibit alcohol intolerance. Alcohol intolerance is a condition where the body reacts negatively to the consumption of alcohol. However, due to the limited available data on post-COVID-19 alcohol intolerance, it’s unclear whether it’s a temporary or long-term symptom. Some people describe feeling sick after consuming only a small amount of alcohol, while others report experiencing hangover-like symptoms that seem disproportionate to their alcohol intake. While not widely recognized as a symptom of long COVID due to limited research, alcohol intolerance has been reported by some individuals.

Additionally, hangover symptoms from heavy drinking can exacerbate the potential flu-like side effects of the vaccine. Hangover symptoms from heavy drinking can also exacerbate the flu-like side effects from the vaccine, such as fatigue and nausea. Excessive alcohol consumption can decrease antibody production, impacting the effectiveness of the immune response. To manage the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, herbal tea, and electrolyte beverages. Chronic alcohol consumption also affects dendritic cells, which are crucial in coordinating and regulating immune responses.

Furthermore, alcohol impairs mucosal immunity in the gut and lower respiratory system, increasing the risk of developing sepsis and pneumonia. Alcohol also negatively affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which is essential for maintaining a healthy immune function. This is because the side effects of the vaccine, such as muscle aches, headache, fatigue, and fever, can mirror those of a hangover. In conclusion, while there is no clear consensus, it is advisable to consume alcohol in moderation and prioritize hydration to ensure your body can optimally respond to the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, it is recommended to drink extra water and be mindful of your consumption levels. Alcohol can dehydrate you, potentially exacerbating any vaccine side effects.

  • Binge drinking causes significant health and safety risks.
  • Moderate alcohol use may not mean the same thing in research studies or among health agencies.
  • For adults, this means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men, as per general health guidelines.
  • In summary, while a drink or two is unlikely to impact the vaccine’s effectiveness, heavy alcohol consumption should be avoided to maintain a robust immune system and ensure the vaccine’s optimal efficacy.
  • The COVID-19 vaccine can cause side effects such as fever, headache, muscle pain, chills, fatigue, and nausea.
  • Reducing modifiable risk factors for noncommunicable diseases

Fourth, low frequency of consumption of fortified wine (1–2 glasses/week) had a protective effect when subjects consumed alcohol within the guidelines. Furthermore, subjects who usually consumed alcohol at a high frequency had a 10% lower risk (0.90 0.83, 0.98) of developing COVID-19 compared with non-drinkers, but the protective effect was not significant for those subjects who usually consumed alcohol at a low frequency (1.02 0.96, 1.09). The observed relationships between alcohol consumption and diseases are often non-linear, with low-to-moderate alcohol consumption being protective and heavy alcohol consumption being harmful (6, 7). During the pandemic, although epidemiological characteristics and risk factors (e.g., age, obesity, and lifestyle factors) of COVID-19 have been rapidly reported (1–5), the risk or protective factors for COVID-19 infection are largely unknown. The greatest levels of alcohol consumption occur in high-income countries, with a slight and sustained decrease in alcohol consumption over the past decade.