biostudies-literatureSheerin CMNational Center for Research ResourcesNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismNCRR NIH HHSNIAAA NIH HHSNational Institute on Drug Abuse2836-2843https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10239786biostudies-literatureUnknown72(8)Objective: Alcohol consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic have varied notably. Participants: We examined the acute impact of the pandemic on alcohol use disorder (AUD) in a generalizable sample of college students who were surveyed pre-pandemic and re-surveyed in May 2020. Method: Items assessed pre-pandemic included DSM-5 AUD and mental health symptoms. A COVID-19 impacts questionnaire was administered, and alcohol and mental health items re-assessed. Results: AUD symptoms decreased from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic, demonstrating a change in trajectory compared to prior cohorts. Students with persistent AUD reported greater concurrent symptoms of PTSD, depression, and alcohol consumption than those with remitted AUD (ps ≤ .02), but not increased COVID-19 impact. Persistent AUD status was predicted by higher sensation seeking and alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Students with concurrent mental health problems are at continued risk for persistent AUD. Findings highlight the impact of the college environment and social context for drinking on AUD.Journal of American college health : J of ACHCOVID and college: how the pandemic impacted alcohol use disorder status among students.PMC10239786P20 AA017828UL1 RR031990R01 AA020179R37 AA011408K02 AA018755F31 AA028720,K01 AA024152,K01 AA025692,K02 AA018755,K02 AA023239,P20 AA017828,P50 AA022537,R01 AA020179,R37 AA011408K01 AA024152K01 AA025692F31 AA028720P50 AA022537K02 AA023239U54 DA036105Vassileva JAmstadter ABSheerin CMDick DMGentry AEBannard TKuo SISmith RLfalseCOVID and college: how the pandemic impacted alcohol use disorder status among students.Objective: Alcohol consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic have varied notably. Participants: We examined the acute impact of the pandemic on alcohol use disorder (AUD) in a generalizable sample of college students who were surveyed pre-pandemic and re-surveyed in May 2020. Method: Items assessed pre-pandemic included DSM-5 AUD and mental health symptoms. A COVID-19 impacts questionnaire was administered, and alcohol and mental health items re-assessed. Results: AUD symptoms decreased from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic, demonstrating a change in trajectory compared to prior cohorts. Students with persistent AUD reported greater concurrent symptoms of PTSD, depression, and alcohol consumption than those with remitted AUD (ps ≤ .02), but not increased COVID-19 impact. Persistent AUD status was predicted by higher sensation seeking and alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Students with concurrent mental health problems are at continued risk for persistent AUD. Findings highlight the impact of the college environment and social context for drinking on AUD.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Nov2026-06-05T09:29:32.107Z2026-05-15T03:12:02.5ZS-EPMC102397863646993610.1080/07448481.2022.2133963