Association of alcohol consumption and frequency with loneliness: A cross-sectional study among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background There are increasing concerns that prevention measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) such as social distancing and telework are leading to loneliness and poor lifestyle habits like increased alcohol consumption. The purpose of this study was to assess whether loneliness reported among workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with changes in alcohol consumption. Methods The study comprised a cross-sectional, online survey of 27,036 workers between December 22 and 26, 2020. A questionnaire was used to assess loneliness, usual alcohol consumption and whether that consumption had changed. The odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 2831 (10.5%) workers indicated they had increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic. Increased alcohol consumption was significantly associated with loneliness (OR=1.94, 95%CI 1.70-2.21). This association held true for those who indicated they were drinking two or more days per week (OR=1.98 95%CI 1.71-2.30) and those who drank less than one day per week (OR=1.51 95%CI 0.71-3.25). In contrast, there was no association between increased drinking and loneliness among those who indicated they hardly ever drank (OR=1.22 95%CI 0.55-2.72). Conclusions Among those with a drinking habit, increased alcohol consumption is associated with loneliness.