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Living with Drug Use and Addiction during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Suzanne H Gage1, Gayle Brewer1, Miriam Steen1
1Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Substance Use & Misuse
|July 5, 2022
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted people who use drugs (PWUD), affecting access to substances and treatment. Some PWUD found lockdown an opportunity to reduce or stop drug use.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Public Health
- Addiction Research
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges globally.
- Understanding the specific impacts on vulnerable populations, such as people who use drugs (PWUD), is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of PWUD during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To identify key challenges and coping mechanisms related to substance use during this period.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 100 online forum posts from Reddit.
- Qualitative inductive thematic analysis of personal experiences shared by PWUD.
Main Results:
- Seven themes emerged: access to illicit and prescription drugs, pandemic stressors, boredom, disrupted coping strategies, limited formal support, and lockdown as an opportunity.
- PWUD faced significant disruptions to drug access, treatment, and established coping mechanisms.
- A subset of PWUD utilized lockdown as a chance to decrease or cease substance use.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected PWUD, influencing substance availability and increasing exposure to triggers like stress and boredom.
- While support systems and coping strategies were often compromised, the pandemic also presented a unique opportunity for some individuals to reduce substance use.
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