(Radio Iowa) – An Iowa State University study finds nearly two-thirds of women surveyed admit they’re drinking more alcohol, more frequently, since the onset of the pandemic. Susan Stewart, an I-S-U professor of sociology, says she found coronavirus-related anxiety and women’s social and demographic characteristics brought more daily drinking, drinking earlier in the day, and binge drinking. “It’s really troubling because drinking among women had already been on the rise for a number of years and their levels of drinking are now almost matching those of men,” Stewart says. “I don’t think that’s gotten a lot of attention and to find they’re drinking even more than that is a real concern.”

Some sunny day when COVID is no longer a concern, is it possible these numbers will drop back to where they were before the pandemic, or will drinking now be a more permanent fixture — and problem — for women?  “We don’t know yet, as researchers, the extent to which this is going to be a temporary blip,” Stewart says. “I hope so, as the pressures become less on women, because we know that the pandemic has taken a particular toll on women in terms of having to do home schooling, and working from home, and taking care of children, and things like that.”

Stewart says there are persistent barriers to women getting treatment for alcohol overuse, further complicating the troubling trend of women’s increased alcohol use. “Because women are responsible for the care of the family, they might feel like they don’t have the time to even address their substance use issues,” Stewart says, “or they worry that their children might be taken away, or that they’ll be perceived as a bad mom if they reach out for help.” The report revealed married women displayed the greatest increases in alcohol use compared to other women during the pandemic. The I-S-U study focused on alcohol and women in the past year, but were men asked about their drinking habits since COVID arrived? “I didn’t but there have been a number of studies published at the national level of both men and women and they’re finding the same thing,” Stewart says. “They’re finding upticks in drinking, binge drinking, problem drinking, since the pandemic. This is not an issue that’s just exclusive to women.”

The study was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Gynecology and Women’s Health.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Friday (Today), reported four arrests. At around 12:53-a.m., Friday, 24-year-old Liam Thomas Kriegshauser, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $300. Thursday evening, 52-year-old Darren Allen Gray, of Silver City, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree. His bond was set at $5,000.

Wednesday afternoon, 44-year-old Amanda Kay Bergand, of Des Moines, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order. She was being held in the jail on a $300 bond. And, at around 3-a.m. Wednesday, 20-year-old Haleigh Ann Cox, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for three-counts Possession  of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $3,000.

Authorities in Union County report two accidents occurred, Thursday. At around 10:27-p.m., a 2014 Ford F-250 pickup driven by 33-year-old Kiel S. Davis, of Creston, was traveling east on Highway 34. A 2009 Ford Focus driven by 31-year-old Lidia V. Alvarado, of Council Bluffs, was turning right to head east off Highway 25 onto Highway 34, and stopped at the posted intersection. The pickup ran into the rear of the car, causing it to enter the eastbound ditch. Medics with Corning Ambulance transported Alvarado to the hospital. She was cited for Driving While License is suspended. Damage from the collision amounted to $3,600.

And, at around 10:18-p.m., a 2012 Chrysler 200 driven by 56-year old Shelly J. England, of Creston, was traveling on Highway 34 at the intersection with Daisy Avenue, when England had a medical, diabetic problem. Her vehicle went through the SIRWA fence and through the yard, until it hit a stack of plastic water pipes, coming to rest on the pipes. The woman was transported to her home by her daughter.

Damage from the accident amounted to $9,600 altogether.

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Thursday (April8), reported numerous recent arrests. Authorities say 37-year-old Justin Christopher Sneed was arrested late Thursday morning on a warrant for Failure to Appear. He was previously arrested April 3rd for Failure to Appear on an original Possession of Marijuana, charge, but had posted a $2,000 bond.  30-year-old Jan Palubjak, of Omaha, was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation, after he was brought to the sheriff’s office by a bail bondsman.

On April 6th, a 14-year old male was arrested in Avoca, for General Assault, in connection with an incident at the Elementary/Secondary School. His motivation on the arrest report was described as “Anti-Heterosexual.” No other information was provided. On April 5th, 35-year-old Corey Andrew Stephens, of Oakland, was served at the Pott. County Jail, with a warrant for Voluntary Absence from Custody.  Also arrested April 5th, was 40-year-old Martin Edward Dahlke, of Council Bluffs, was served at the Pott. County Jail, with a warrant for Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. Dahlke was being held in the jail on prior charges of Use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officials with the Creston Police Department report 37-year-old Lee Fowler, of Creston, was arrested at around 11-p.m. Thursday. He was taken into custody at his residence, on charges that include Domestic Abuse Assault, and Possession of Controlled Substance. Fowler was taken to Union County Jail, where he was being held without bond until seen by the judge.