Public health messages are needed to educate people about how to manage stress and anxiety without using alcohol during the pandemic, according to addiction experts at McLean Hospital.

In an article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, McLean addiction experts say public health messages should include education about not using alcohol to deal with stress and anxiety, and drinking within safe limits during physical distancing and social isolation.

Doctors need to screen for alcohol use disorders during primary care visits, and provide treatment for people at risk for relapse or exacerbation of heavy drinking, the experts said.

“Increasing identification of harmful alcohol use in patients and intervening early are key components of addressing this problem,” study co-author Shelly F. Greenfield, M.D., M.P.H., said in a news release.