scholarly journals A global survey on changes in the supply, price and use of illicit drugs and alcohol, and related complications during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Farhoudian ◽  
Seyed Ramin Radfar ◽  
Hossein Mohaddes Ardabili ◽  
Parnian Rafei ◽  
Mohsen Ebrahimy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Addiction Medicine ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Global Survey ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Drug And Alcohol ◽  
Supply Price

Background and aims: COVID-19 has infected more than 13 million people worldwide and impacted the lives of many more, with a particularly devastating impact on vulnerable populations, including people with substance use disorders (SUDs). Quarantines, travel bans, regulatory changes, social distancing and ′lockdown′ measures have affected drug and alcohol supply chains and subsequently their availability, price and use patterns, with possible downstream effects on presentations of SUDs and demand for treatment. Given the lack of multicentric epidemiologic studies, we conducted a rapid global survey within the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) network in order to understand the status of substance-use patterns during the current pandemic. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Worldwide. Participants: Starting on April 4th, 2020 during a 5-week period, the survey received 185 responses from 77 countries. Measurements: To assess addiction medicine professionals′ perceived changes in drug and alcohol supply, price, use pattern and related complications during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: Participants reported (among who answered ″decreased″ or ″increased″, percentage of those who were in majority is reported in the parenthesis) a decrease in drug supply (69.0%), and at the same time an increase in price (95.3%) globally. With respect to changes in use patterns, an increase in alcohol (71.7%), cannabis (63.0%), prescription opioids (70.9%), and sedative/hypnotics (84.6%) use was reported while the use of amphetamines (59.7%), cocaine (67.5%), and opiates (58.2%) was reported to decrease overall. Conclusions: The global report on changes in the availability, use patterns and complications of alcohol and drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic should be considered in making new policies and in developing mitigating measures and guidelines during the current pandemic (and probable future ones) in order to minimize risks to SUDs. Key words: COVID-19, pandemic, alcohol, drug, substance use disorder, supply, price.

scholarly journals A Global Survey on Changes in the Supply, Price, and Use of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol, and Related Complications During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Farhoudian ◽  
Seyed Ramin Radfar ◽  
Hossein Mohaddes Ardabili ◽  
Parnian Rafei ◽  
Mohsen Ebrahimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Addiction Medicine ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Global Survey ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Drug And Alcohol ◽  
Supply Price

Background and Aims: COVID-19 has infected more than 77 million people worldwide and impacted the lives of many more, with a particularly devastating impact on vulnerable populations, including people with substance use disorders (SUDs). Quarantines, travel bans, regulatory changes, social distancing, and “lockdown” measures have affected drug and alcohol supply chains and subsequently their availability, price, and use patterns, with possible downstream effects on presentations of SUDs and demand for treatment. Given the lack of multicentric epidemiologic studies, we conducted a rapid global survey within the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) network in order to understand the status of substance-use patterns during the current pandemic.Design: Cross-sectional survey.Setting: Worldwide.Participants: Starting on April 4, 2020 during a 5-week period, the survey received 185 responses from 77 countries.Measurements: To assess addiction medicine professionals' perceived changes in drug and alcohol supply, price, use pattern, and related complications during the COVID-19 pandemic.Findings: Participants reported (among who answered “decreased” or “increased”) a decrease in drug supply (69.0%) and at the same time an increase in price (95.3%) globally. With respect to changes in use patterns, an increase in alcohol (71.7%), cannabis (63.0%), prescription opioids (70.9%), and sedative/hypnotics (84.6%) use was reported, while the use of amphetamines (59.7%), cocaine (67.5%), and opiates (58.2%) was reported to decrease overall.Conclusions: The global report on changes in the availability, use patterns, and complications of alcohol and drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic should be considered in making new policies and in developing mitigating measures and guidelines during the current pandemic (and probable future ones) in order to minimize risks to people with SUD.

THE INFLUENCE OF FAMILY RELIGIOSITY ON ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE ACCORDING TO RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 821-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray M. Merrill ◽  
Jeffrey A. Folsom ◽  
Susan S. Christopherson
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
General Education ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Church Attendance ◽  
Adolescent Substance Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adolescent Substance ◽  
Religious Preference ◽  
College Undergraduate

The aim in doing this research was to identify whether or not family religiosity is protective against adolescent substance use (tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs) according to selected religious preferences. A cross-sectional survey of students ages 17–35 years in college undergraduate general education classes at three large schools in Utah, May–July, 2003 revealed that the highest use of tobacco smoking and marijuana or other illicit drug use was among those with no religious preference. Catholics had the highest level of alcohol drinking during adolescence. The lowest use of tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs was among Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormons). Family church attendance and religiosity among parents during the participants' adolescent years were both significantly protective against substance use in LDS but not among those of other religions or in those with no religious preference. LDS were most likely to agree that they chose to abstain or quit using tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs during their adolescent years because such behavior was inconsistent with their religious beliefs. LDS were also more likely to agree that current substance use was inconsistent with their religion, thus family weekly church attendance and parental religiosity during the participants' adolescent years were associated with lower substance use among LDS.

scholarly journals Changes in substance use among young adults during a respiratory disease pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212096532
Author(s):  
Pravesh Sharma ◽  
Jon O Ebbert ◽  
Jordan K Rosedahl ◽  
Lindsey M Philpot
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Product Use

Background: News articles, commentaries, and opinion articles have suggested that ongoing social distancing measures coupled with economic challenges during COVID-19 may worsen stress, affective state, and substance use across the globe. We sought to advance our understanding of the differences between individuals who change their substance use patterns during a public health crisis and those who do not. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of young adults (18–25 years of age) assessing respondent characteristics and vaping, tobacco, alcohol, and/or marijuana use. We calculated prevalence estimates, prevalence changes, and prevalence ratios with associated 95% confidence intervals and looked for differences with the chi-square test. Results: Of the total sample, 53.2% ( n = 542/1018) young adults reported vaping or using tobacco, alcohol, and/or marijuana. Among the 542 respondents reporting use, 34.3% reported a change in their use patterns. Among respondents reporting changes in substance use patterns during the pandemic ( n = 186), 68.8% reported an increase in alcohol use, 44.0% reported a decrease in vaping product use, and 47.3% reported a decrease in tobacco product use due to COVID-19. Substance use changed significantly for respondents with increasing degree of loneliness (continuous loneliness score: prevalence ratio = 1.12, 95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.25), anxiety (prevalence ratio = 1.45, 95% confidence interval = 1.14–1.85), and depression (prevalence ratio = 1.44, 95% confidence interval = 1.13–1.82). Conclusion: Self-reported substance use among young adults was observed to change during a pandemic, and the degree of loneliness appears to impact these changes. Innovative strategies are needed to address loneliness, anxiety, depression, and substance use during global health crises that impact social contact.

scholarly journals Characterizing Participation and Perceived Engagement Benefits in an Integrated Digital Behavioral Health Recovery Community for Women: A Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda Curtis ◽  
Brandon Bergman ◽  
Austin Brown ◽  
Jessica McDaniel ◽  
Kristen Harper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Behavioral Health Disorders ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Gender Specific

BACKGROUND Research suggests that digital recovery support services (D-RSSs) may help support individual recovery and augment the availability of in-person supports. Previous studies highlight the use of D-RSSs in supporting individuals in recovery from substance use but have yet to examine the use of D-RSSs in supporting a combination of behavioral health disorders, including substance use, mental health, and trauma. Similarly, few studies on D-RSSs have evaluated gender-specific supports or integrated communities, which may be helpful to women and individuals recovering from behavioral health disorders. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to evaluate the SHE RECOVERS (SR) recovery community, with the following 3 aims: (1) to characterize the women who engage in SR (including demographics and recovery-related characteristics), (2) describe the ways and frequency in which participants engage with SR, and (3) examine the perception of benefit derived from engagement with SR. METHODS This study used a cross-sectional survey to examine the characteristics of SR participants. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests, as well as univariate logistic regressions, were used to explore each aim. RESULTS Participants (N=729, mean age 46.83 years; 685/729, 94% Caucasian) reported being in recovery from a variety of conditions, although the most frequent nonexclusive disorder was substance use (86.40%, n=630). Participants had an average length in recovery (LIR) of 6.14 years (SD 7.87), with most having between 1 and 5 years (n=300). The most frequently reported recovery pathway was abstinence-based 12-step mutual aid (38.40%). Participants reported positive perceptions of benefit from SR participation, which did not vary by LIR or recovery pathway. Participants also had high rates of agreement, with SR having a positive impact on their lives, although this too did vary by recovery length and recovery pathway. Participants with 1 to 5 years of recovery used SR to connect with other women in recovery at higher rates, whereas those with less than 1 year used SR to ask for resources at higher rates, and those with 5 or more years used SR to provide support at higher rates. Lifetime engagement with specific supports of SR was also associated with LIR and recovery pathway. CONCLUSIONS Gender-specific and integrated D-RSSs are feasible and beneficial from the perspective of participants. D-RSSs also appear to provide support to a range of recovery typologies and pathways in an effective manner and may be a vital tool for expanding recovery supports for those lacking in access and availability because of geography, social determinants, or other barriers.

scholarly journals Substance use Treatment and Harm Reduction Services for Migrants and Refugees in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a Global Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornelis De Jong ◽  
Ali Farhoudian ◽  
Mehrnoosh Vahidi ◽  
Mohsen Ebrahimi ◽  
Hamed Ekhtiari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
World Health ◽  
Substance Use Treatment ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Addiction Medicine ◽  
Global Survey ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Migrants and refugees are considered vulnerable to mental health problems and substance use disorders; and may be particularly affected by service disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic The International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) ran a multi-phased global survey among clinicians and health professional that are actively working in the field of addiction medicine to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on substance use and related services. In March 2020, the first month after the announcement of the pandemic by the World Health Organization, 177 informants from 77 countries took part in the global survey, and only 12.9% of them reported their countries’ substance use treatment and harm reduction services for the migrants and refugees with substance use disorders continued as usual. In May 2020, 11.7% of respondents of the second phase reported that the services for refugees and migrants improved in comparison to March 2020; 11.7% reported that these services in their country discontinued. Results suggest that refugee and migrants access to treatment and harm reduction services has been reduced as a result of COVID-19. It can be concluded that it is crucial to improve the visibility of migrants’ needs and exploit appropriate interventions for those with substance use disorders.

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

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunn Pungpapong ◽  
Rasmon Kalayasiri
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Patient Health

Objective: To assess prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress among adolescents experiencing lockdown during the 2019 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in both Asian and Western countries. Material and Methods: From May-June 2020, secondary school students were enrolled in an online cross-sectional survey, through social media; including, but not limited to, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp and LINE. We assessed the presence and severity of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7) and stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10) within the last month, and assessed significant associations with demographics, degree of social distancing, and other associated issues using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Results: From 392 respondents (56.4% male, 43.1% female), from Thailand (59.2%), the United Kingdom (26.5%) and other countries (14.3%), we identified depressive symptoms in 58.7%, anxiety in 40.3% and high levels of stress in 9.7%. By multivariate analysis, we found significant associations between being female and depression and anxiety, being in late secondary school years and depression, and changes in patterns of substance use and anxiety and stress. Participants not located in Thailand had increased risk of depression.Conclusion: Our study demonstrated depression, anxiety and stress in six, four and one out of ten adolescents, respectively, who were experiencing lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We found female gender, older school years, and changes in substance use patterns to be significantly associated with these mental health conditions.

scholarly journals Tobacco smoking is associated with psychotic experiences in the general population of South London

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Bhavsar ◽  
S. Jauhar ◽  
R. M. Murray ◽  
M. Hotopf ◽  
S. L. Hatch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Other Substances ◽  
Never Smokers ◽  
Dose Response Effect

BackgroundThe association between cigarette smoking and psychosis remains unexplained, but could relate to causal effects in both directions, confounding by socioeconomic factors, such as ethnicity, or use of other substances, including cannabis. Few studies have evaluated the association between cigarettes and psychotic experiences (PEs) in diverse, inner-city populations, or relationships with number of cigarettes consumed.MethodsWe assessed associations and dose–response relationships between cigarette smoking and PEs in a cross-sectional survey of household residents (n = 1680) in South East London, using logistic regression to adjust for cannabis use, other illicit substances, and socioeconomic factors, including ethnicity.ResultsWe found association between any PEs and daily cigarette smoking, which remained following adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, cannabis and use of illicit stimulant drugs (fully adjusted odds ratio 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.01–2.15). Fully adjusted estimates for the association, and with number of PEs, increased with number of cigarettes smoked daily, implying a dose–response effect (p = 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Odds of reporting any PEs in ex-smokers were similar to never-smokers.ConclusionsIn this diverse epidemiological sample, association between smoking and PEs was not explained by confounders such as cannabis or illicit drugs. Daily cigarette consumption showed a dose–response relationship with the odds of reporting PEs, and of reporting a greater number of PEs. There was no difference in odds of reporting PEs between ex-smokers and never-smokers, raising the possibility that the increase in PEs associated with smoking may be reversible.

scholarly journals Peer substance use overestimation among French university students: a cross-sectional survey

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lionel Riou Franca ◽  
Bertrand Dautzenberg ◽  
Bruno Falissard ◽  
Michel Reynaud
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
University Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Peer Substance Use
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