Cork GP highlights increase in alcohol-related patient visits and says new minimum pricing 'long-overdue' Dr Sheehan said people also began to drink more during the pandemic out of a sense of frustration and boredom and to cope with anxiety and stress. Breda Graham A CORK GP has witnessed an increase in alcohol-related patient visits to the practice Dr John Sheehan of Blackpool Bridge Surgery there was “certainly more alcohol use during the pandemic” and that people being home meant they didn’t have to drive to drop or collect people and were therefore inclined to drink more. He said that people also began to drink more during the pandemic out of a sense of frustration and boredom and to cope with anxiety and stress.