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Brief Report: Increased Addictive Internet and Substance Use Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

Yan Sun¹, Yangyang Li¹, Yanping Bao¹

¹National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.

The American Journal on Addictions

|June 6, 2020

Abstract

Background And Objectives:

The COVID-19 pandemic and control measures may have increased the risk of abusing addictive substances as well as addictive behaviors.

Methods:

We present an initial online survey in 6416 Chinese about the relation between the COVID-19 pandemic and addictive behavior in China.

Results:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 46.8% of the subjects reported increased dependence on internet use, and 16.6% had longer hours of internet use. The prevalence (4.3%) of severe internet dependence rose up to 23% than that (3.5%) before the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, and their dependence degree rose 20 times more often than being declined (60% vs 3%). Relapses to abuse from alcohol and smoking abstinence were relatively common at 19% and 25%, respectively. Similarly, 32% of regular alcohol drinkers and 20% of regular smokers increased their usage amount during the pandemic.

Conclusion And Scientific Significance:

These three coping behaviors (internet, alcohol, and smoking) during this COVID-19-related crisis appear to have increased the risk for substance use disorders and internet addiction. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00-00).

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