Substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic: What is really happening?

Mellos, E.; Paparrigopoulos, Thomas

doi:10.22365/jpsych.2022.072

Cited by 20 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…That survey also showed that the logistic regression for generalized anxiety acted as a significant predictor for increased use of nicotine and other substances ( 12 ). This increase could be a reaction to the stress derived from the pandemic situation, as has previously been demonstrated in the outcomes of other studies researches carried out in Europe ( 34 , 35 ) and the United States ( 36 ). Smokers normally use certain drugs such as anxiolytics; there is a well-known close relationship between smoking and psychiatric disorders (a higher proportion of subjects with mental health disorders smoke, when compared to general population).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics consumption in long-COVID-19 patients: Gender differences and associated factors

Carrasco‐Garrido

Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas

Hernández‐Barrera

et al. 2022

Front. Med.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundPsychotropic drug consumption has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe here the prevalence and identifying factors associated with Benzodiazepine (BZD) and Z-hypnotics use among a sample of Spanish adults suffering from long-COVID-19 syndrome, from a gender perspective.Materials and methodsData were anonymously collected between 15th December 2021 and 15th March 2022. The collection form consisted of several questions gathering sociodemographic information, post-COVID symptom, health profile, and pharmacological drug intake. Using logistic multivariate regression models, we estimated the independent effect of each of these variables on self-medicated consumption. Three models were generated (female, male, and both gender).ResultsPrevalence of BZD and Z-hypnotics use was 44.9% (46.5% for women; 37.8% for men). Zolpidem was the most consumed drug among male (20.7%), and lorazepam in female (31.1%). Patterns of drug consumption among female were related with number of post-COVID symptoms and smoking habit (AOR 2.76, 95%CI 1.16–6.52). Males under 40 years of age are more likely to consume BZD and Z-hypnotics (AOR 5.52, 95%CI 1.08–28.27).ConclusionThe prevalence of consumption of BZD and Z-hypnotics in those subjects with long-COVID-19 in our study reaches values of 44.9%. Women with long-COVID-19 declare a higher prevalence of consumption than men. Predictors of BZD and Z-hypnotic in men were, age and number of medication use. Smoking habit and the number of post-COVID symptoms were predictive variables in women.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics consumption in long-COVID-19 patients: Gender differences and associated factors

Carrasco‐Garrido

Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas

Hernández‐Barrera

et al. 2022

Front. Med.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…First, our findings suggest high proportions of subjects reporting lifetime use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine. Mellos and Paparrigopoulos ( 2022 ) have already signed an increase in alcohol consumption among people with severe alcohol use and an increase in cannabis, nicotine, and cocaine use. So several social and demographic factors might explain the high frequency of participants using drugs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…So several social and demographic factors might explain the high frequency of participants using drugs. Mellos and Paparrigopoulos ( 2022 ) explained that those with high consumption levels had higher harmful emotionality mechanisms. Layman et al ( 2022 ) suggested an impact of environmental factors which contribute to the odds of drug use among the population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On one side, the rise in drug abuse is associated with a fourfold increase in drug availability and accessibility through the black market (Mellos and Paparrigopoulos ( 2022 ), which occurred between 2011 and 2020, even though control systems limit the spread of drug use (GDR-UNODC, 2021 ). On the other side, Layman et al ( 2022 ) suggested that the decrease in drug use is due to the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Remote Screening for Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement by Sex, Age, Lockdown Condition, and Psychological Care-Seeking in the Primary Care Setting during the COVID-19 Pandemic in México

Chainé

Robles-García

Barragán-Torres

et al. 2022

Int J Ment Health Addiction

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a psychoactive substance use crisis in many countries, including México. Remote valid tools to identify high-risk groups in need for treatment are a prerequisite for cost-effective interventions in primary care settings. To determine the validity and correlates of the remote applications of the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) with sex, age, and psychological care-seeking, offered remotely in primary settings, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, a total sample of 19,109 Mexicans, with an average age of 34.38 years ( SD = 12.28, range = 18–80), 65.8% of whom were women ( n = 12,578), 29.6% in lockdown (5,660), 39.8% in partial lockdown (7,611), 30.60% not in lockdown (5,838), and 14.75% of whom were seeking psychological care ( n = 2,819), completed ASSIST through a programmed Web application. The dimensionality of the scale to verify construct validity evidence was achieved through a confirmatory factor analysis model (CFA). We represented the distribution of subjects by sex, age, lockdown condition, and psychological care-seeking, based on their lifetime consumption in 2021. We also compared the total distribution by consumption risk level and recommended type of intervention, psychological care-seeking, and age. The tool included ten dimensions (one for each substance, such as tobacco use), confirmed through the CFA. In general, our findings indicated that men reported high lifetime psychoactive substance use and risky drug use levels. A high percentage of 18 to 19-year-old women reported lifetime tobacco and alcohol use. Additionally, a high number of all-age women reported lifetime sedative and opioid use. Also, a high proportion of partially lockdown participants reported lifetime drug use. Moreover, a high percentage of subjects seeking psychological care were at a moderate and high risk of drug use, which required brief or intensive treatment. Our findings indicate that it was possible to validate the factor structure of the programmed ASSIST for remote use. More men than women reported high lifetime psychoactive substance use and risky levels because of their consumption. At the same time, younger women reported similar and even higher lifetime tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine use than same-age men. More all-age women reported lifetime use of sedatives than all-age men. More all-age partially lockdown participants reported lifetime use of drugs. In general, subjects at greater risk and those requiring psychological care are more likely to seek care. Community and primary care screening will make it possible to implement effective early interventions to reduce the substance use risks associated with health emergencies. Future studies are required to determine the diagnosis of substance use disorders to evaluate the cut-off points in the screening test to discriminate between the presence and absence of symptoms and evaluate the effect of rem...

show abstract

“…Such a potential can also substantially benefit patients with addiction and substance use disorders (SUDs) [ 15 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to novel dynamics of drug abuse and addiction, with traditional trafficking avenues moving online, although such a shift was already underway before the pandemic broke out [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. It could therefore be concluded that the criminal element itself has been taking advantage of remote interactions and transactions as the pandemic set in, exhibiting a considerable level of adaptability [ 19 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Telemedicine, Telepsychiatry and COVID-19 Pandemic: Future Prospects for Global Health

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is no denying that demand for telemedicine and telepsychiatry services has been on the rise, as the COVID-19 pandemic engulfed the world and upset the daily lives and certainties of us all. Such growth, however, calls for a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the strengths and weaknesses inherent in such innovative approaches, which are bound to change and evolve as the fourth industrial revolution unfolds before our eyes. The authors have set out to analyze the complexities and distinctive features of telemedicine and telepsychiatry by focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of such approaches and analyzing research findings, recommendations, and guidelines by scientific societies and institutions, for the ultimate purpose of striking a tenable balance between technological innovations and the ethics and moral imperative of guaranteeing equal access to care for everyone, irrespective of social and financial status. The European regulatory and legislative scenario has been briefly outlined, and the standards for the medicolegal sustainability of such practices have been explored. Ultimately, in order to improve accessibility without compromising the quality of care, new broadly shared ethical standards, best practices, and guidelines need to be prioritized. National legislative initiatives and the international sharing of information need to be encouraged, for the ultimate purpose of optimizing and harmonizing telemedicine-based care for the sake of all patients. As technology moves forward and evolves, so must the normative standards and guidelines on which professionals must be able to rely when delivering telemedicine-based care in an ethically and legally viable fashion. From that perspective, addressing the digital divide means enabling more people to receive care and should therefore be seen as part and parcel of the effort to uphold the universal human right to health.

show abstract

Substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic: What is really happening?

Cited by 20 publications

References 0 publications

Benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics consumption in long-COVID-19 patients: Gender differences and associated factors

Benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics consumption in long-COVID-19 patients: Gender differences and associated factors

Remote Screening for Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement by Sex, Age, Lockdown Condition, and Psychological Care-Seeking in the Primary Care Setting during the COVID-19 Pandemic in México

Telemedicine, Telepsychiatry and COVID-19 Pandemic: Future Prospects for Global Health

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About