biostudies-literatureKline-Simon AHNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismNICHD NIH HHSNIAAA NIH HHS209531https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11624079biostudies-literatureUnknown168<h4>Introduction</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way healthcare providers delivered most health services, including treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Specialty alcohol treatment remained available through the pandemic, and within some systems treatment use increased likely due to telehealth availability. However, the field knows little about the relationship between the pandemic's expanded access to specialty alcohol treatment and alcohol use outcomes.<h4>Methods</h4>The sample included 14,712 patients from Kaiser Permanente Northern California who screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use in primary care and had an AUD diagnosis or risked developing an AUD by reporting 5 or more heavy drinking days in a 3-month period between 1/1/2019 and 2/29/2020 (pre-pandemic). The studJournal of substance use and addiction treatmentWas receipt of any specialty alcohol treatment during the pandemic effective at reducing drinking for patients with or at risk of AUD?PMC11624079K24AA025703K24 AA02570375N94021C00003Satre DDChi FWSterling SAPalzes VAWeisner CKline-Simon AHfalseWas receipt of any specialty alcohol treatment during the pandemic effective at reducing drinking for patients with or at risk of AUD?<h4>Introduction</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way healthcare providers delivered most health services, including treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Specialty alcohol treatment remained available through the pandemic, and within some systems treatment use increased likely due to telehealth availability. However, the field knows little about the relationship between the pandemic's expanded access to specialty alcohol treatment and alcohol use outcomes.<h4>Methods</h4>The sample included 14,712 patients from Kaiser Permanente Northern California who screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use in primary care and had an AUD diagnosis or risked developing an AUD by reporting 5 or more heavy drinking days in a 3-month period between 1/1/2019 and 2/29/2020 (pre-pandemic). The stud2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jan2026-06-06T08:48:09.79Z2026-05-28T03:11:03.566ZS-EPMC116240793937895410.1016/j.josat.2024.209531