While many bars and restaurants remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic, consumers dont appear to be losing out on alcoholic consumption. Thats according to a report from the Associated Press showing U.S. sales of alcoholic beverages rose 55% in the week ending March 21. Citing Nielsen data, the report also indicated online alcohol sales were up 243%.

The cause for the increased sales could be two-fold. Between consumers heeding the call to stay home and practice social distancing, or as a means to cope with stress, the rise in alcohol consumption might be cause for concern. 

“We know that major traumatic events in the world lead to people developing alcohol use disorders. This happened after 9/11, and it happens after major natural disasters," said Julia Chester, an associate professor of psychological sciences in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Purdue University. "Many people will, for the first time, start developing an alcohol use disorder as a consequence of this pandemic because this is such a major stress on their lives. This is a vulnerability for all of us.”