text:  It's here and now. If you enjoy a cold beer or a cocktail after a long day, this next story might resonate with you. During the pandemic, the number of Americans drinking alcohol skyrocketed, and many of us haven't changed our drinking habits since. And now scientists are worried about a rise in alcohol-related health issues. Isabella Cueto is a chronic disease reporter for our editorial partners at STAT. It's the health and medicine publication.