Alcohol and Tobacco Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic. A Call for Local Actions for Global Impact

Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Lockdowns and Social Isolation on Sleep Quality

“… 59 For example, we know that inadequate sleep is likely to promote poorer health behaviors, such as reducing the motivation to exercise and to eat healthily. 60 Moreover, those with poorer sleep during lockdown may be tempted to self-medicate with alcohol 61 and/or other illicit substances, 62 in hopes of improving their sleep. Unfortunately, such strategies merely worsen sleep, and further accelerate or initiate insomnia.…”

Depression and Anxiety Plus Levels of Stress among Secondary School Students during the COVID-19 Lockdown: an Online CrossSectional Survey

“…8 Since the pandemic's inception, there have been some studies conducted that have begun to assess how COVID-19 social distancing and isolation can lead to adverse mental health effects 8,9 , and further consequences; such as, substance abuse. [10][11][12][13] However, evidence and data on how large-scale public health measures affect adolescent mental health outcomes is scarce. 14 Xie et al report higher prevalence of depression and anxiety among primary school children in home confinement during a Chinese nationwide school closure.…”

Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy After COVID-19: The Therapeutic Uses of Psilocybin and MDMA for Pandemic-Related Mental Health Problems

“…COVID-19 has significantly altered lives in ways that exacerbate drivers of mental health problems, with widespread uncertainty, increased experiences of grief and loss, social isolation, economic and housing instability, and decreased access to critical services related to lockdowns ( 6 , 15 ). Further, available data on the impacts of COVID-19 on substance use patterns indicate increased use of alcohol and other substances in response to stress and negative emotions ( 8 , 16 , 17 ). Social connections are crucial for people struggling with addiction and comorbidities such as depression, and increased social disconnection represents a key risk factor for adverse outcomes (e.g., relapse and overdose) ( 1 , 6 , 18 ).…”

“…Increases in problematic substance use represent an imminent health concern that is likely to linger well beyond the formal conclusion of the pandemic. Given the ongoing overdose crisis and mounting concerns around post-pandemic stress and increasing use of alcohol and tobacco ( 17 , 45 , 46 ), relevant preliminary studies of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy signal an important area for further investigation. For example, a small, open-label pilot study for tobacco smoking cessation demonstrated high abstinence rates at 6 months and 1 year following two or three doses of psilocybin in combination with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy among long-term cigarette smokers ( 47 , 48 ).…”

“…Rather, research documents PTSD symptoms among individuals who have been indirectly exposed by witnessing (e.g., via the media) or being confronted with the threat of death or serious illness (e.g., worry/anticipation about the future) (7).COVID-19 has significantly altered lives in ways that exacerbate drivers of mental health problems, with widespread uncertainty, increased experiences of grief and loss, social isolation, economic and housing instability, and decreased access to critical services related to lockdowns (6,15). Further, available data on the impacts of COVID-19 on substance use patterns indicate increased use of alcohol and other substances in response to stress and negative emotions (8,16,17). Social connections are crucial for people struggling with addiction and comorbidities such as depression, and increased social disconnection represents a key risk factor for adverse outcomes Publisher's Note: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers.…”