Problem alcohol use, particularly underage use, remains an ongoing challenge facing public health professionals. Rates of use have generally been in decline for many years; however, alcohol remains the most used substance among youth. It is still unclear the extent that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted underage alcohol use, although it is known that the pandemic has accelerated social and behavioral conditions that make alcohol consumption more likely to occur.
This webinar will review the current state of problem alcohol use and its consequences in the Central East region. It will identify the known causes of problem use and the exacerbating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar will also discuss the available treatment options for alcohol use disorder. Lastly, the webinar will provide information on available data sources for learning more about these topics and introduce the Problem Alcohol Use in the Central East Region infographic created by the Central East ATTC to provide an introductory summary of these topics.
Josh Esrick, MPP, is a Senior Policy Analyst with Carnevale Associates. Josh has extensive experience in substance use prevention; researching, writing, and presenting on best practice and knowledge development publications, briefs, and reference guides; and developing and providing training and technical assistance to numerous organizations at the Federal, state, and local levels.
He developed numerous SAMHSA Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies’ (CAPT) products on strategies to prevent opioid misuse and overdose, risk and protective factors for substance use, youth substance use prevention strategies, youth substance use trends, emerging substance use trends, the potential regulations surrounding marijuana legalization, as well as numerous other topics.
Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip, holds a Master of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.
