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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.
European Addiction Research
|January 17, 2022
Summary
COVID-19 lockdowns negatively impacted over 62% of patients with substance use disorders (SUDs), worsening their consumption patterns. This highlights the need for tailored interventions during health crises for SUD patients.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected general population mental health.
- Research on substance use disorders (SUDs) during the pandemic remains limited.
- Understanding SUD patient experiences during COVID-19 confinement is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical status and substance use patterns of SUD outpatients before and during COVID-19 confinement.
- To investigate factors influencing changes in substance consumption during lockdown.
Main Methods:
- A multicentre study involving 588 SUD outpatients across thirteen addiction treatment centers in Catalonia, Spain.
- Utilized validated instruments and questionnaires for patient evaluation.
- Classified patients into three groups based on changes in substance consumption during lockdown: maintained, worsened, or improved.
Main Results:
- Over 62% of patients maintained or worsened their substance use patterns during confinement.
- Approximately 38% of patients showed improvement in their consumption patterns.
- Factors such as age, addiction severity, psychological distress, social/familial issues, and therapeutic variables were associated with consumption changes.
Conclusions:
- Home lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic had significant implications for substance consumption and psychiatric distress in SUD outpatients.
- The findings underscore the necessity for proactive planning of interventions for SUD patients during future health crises.
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