Changes in alcohol consumption associated with social distancing and self-isolation policies triggered by COVID-19 in South Australia: a wastewater analysis study

Aim To assess the effects of social distancing and social isolation policies triggered by COVID-19 on alcohol consumption using wastewater analysis in Adelaide, South Australia. Design Longitudinal quantitative analysis of influent wastewater data for alcohol concentration. Setting Adelaide, South Australia. Participants Wastewater catchment area representative of 1.1 million inhabitants. Measurements Twenty-four hour composite influent wastewater samples were collected from four wastewater treatment plants in Adelaide, South Australia for 7 consecutive days (Wednesday-Tuesday) every 2 months from April 2016-April 2020. The alcohol metabolite ethyl sulfate was measured in samples using chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Data were population-weighted adjusted with consumption expressed as standard drinks/day/1000 people. Weekly consumption and weekend to mid-week consumption ratios were analysed to identify changes in weekday alcohol use pattern. Findings Estimated weekend alcohol consumption was significantly lower (698 standard drinks/day/1000 people) after self-isolation measures were enforced in April 2020 compared with the preceding sampling period in February 2020 (1047 standard drinks/day/1000 people),P < 0.05. Weekend to midweek consumption ratio was 12% lower than the average ratio compared with all previous sampling periods. April 2020 recorded the lowest alcohol consumption relative to April in previous years, dating back to 2016. Conclusions Wastewater analysis suggests that introduction of social distancing and isolation policies triggered by COVID-19 in Adelaide, South Australia, was associated with a decrease in population-level weekend alcohol consumption.

Automated summary

The implementation of social distancing and isolation policies triggered by COVID-19 in Adelaide, South Australia, was associated with a significant decrease in population-level weekend alcohol consumption. The findings from wastewater analysis in April 2020 showed the lowest alcohol consumption relative to previous years.