Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
COVID-19 Lockdown and Consumption Patterns among Substance Use Disorder Outpatients: A Multicentre Study
Lara Grau-López1,2,3,4, Constanza Daigre1,2,3,4, Raúl Felipe Palma-Alvarez1,2,3,4
1Department of Psychiatry, Addiction and Dual Diagnosis Section, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
Introduction:
COVID-19 has had a great impact on mental health in the general population. However, few studies have focused on patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). This research aimed to compare the clinical status and substance use patterns of SUD outpatients, before and during confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
This multicentre study recruited 588 patients (29.2% women; M age = 47.4 ± 11.7 years) in thirteen centres for addiction treatment in Catalonia, Spain. All subjects were evaluated with validated instruments and ad hoc questionnaires. The sample was divided into 3 groups according to how the substance consumption pattern changed during lockdown (maintained pattern, worsened pattern, and improved pattern).
Results:
More than 62% of the patients maintained or worsened their consumption pattern during confinement, and about 38% improved throughout this time. Diverse factors were associated with the changes in pattern like age, addiction severity, psychological distress during lockdown, social and familial issues, and therapeutic variables.
Conclusion:
The home lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with major implications for substance consumption and psychiatric distress among SUD outpatients. Considering this, the need to plan appropriate interventions in cases of similar health crises is highlighted.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Drug Dependence
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

