Significant main effects of COVID-19-related stressors and coping activities on changes in drunkenness were not observed among those without a history of AUD but were among those with a history of AUD, indicating that they may be more vulnerable to pandemic stress-related alcohol misuse. Specifically, among those with past AUD, perceived stress was associated with increases in drunkenness. Among the remitted-abstinent group, essential worker status was associated with increases in drunkenness. There are many potential explanations for why individuals with a history of AUD may be at increased risk for alcohol use following the stressful period that has encompassed the COVID-19 pandemic [7, 50–52], including facing a variety of stressful experiences related to the pandemic itself (i.e., serving as a frontline healthcare worker), sensitization by prior traumatic or stressful events (i.e., stress sensitization), genetic, and/or neural vulnerabilities. Previous work in COGA and other studies has also shown that many forms of stress (i.e., traumatic life events, SARS epidemic, 9/11 terrorist attacks) are associated with risks for alcohol misuse and problems [53–56], particularly among vulnerable individuals. Some studies examining mechanisms involved
