Lingering Effects of COVID-19 Stressors on Mental Health and Alcohol Use in Middle Aged to Older Adults

•Exploratory factor analysis captured four dimensions of COVID-19 stress: 1) jobs, finances and loss of routine; 2) practical difficulties; 3) social worries and challenges; and 4) supply shortages•Practical difficulties were associated with higher depression over time•Jobs, finances and loss of routine were associated with past 12 month frequency of intoxication over time•Challenges from the pandemic may have longer-term implications for mental health and alcohol use in older adults past the acute phase of the pandemic and vaccine uptake