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Self-Reported Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Use during COVID-19 Lockdown Measures: Results from a Web-Based Survey.
Vanderbruggen, Nathalie; Matthys, Frieda; Van Laere, Sven; Zeeuws, Dieter; Santermans, Liesbeth; Van den Ameele, Seline; Crunelle, Cleo L.
  • Vanderbruggen N; Department of Psychiatry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium, Nathalie.Vanderbruggen@uzbrussel.be.
  • Matthys F; Department of Psychiatry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium.
  • Van Laere S; Interfaculty Center Data Processing & Statistics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
  • Zeeuws D; Department of Psychiatry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium.
  • Santermans L; Department of Psychiatry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium.
  • Van den Ameele S; Department of Psychiatry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium.
  • Crunelle CL; Department of Psychiatry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium.
Eur Addict Res ; 26(6): 309-315, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-788272
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has led to measures of social distancing and quarantine worldwide. This stressful period may lead to psychological problems, including increases in substance use.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate changes in alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis consumption before and during COVID-19 lockdown and motives for these changes in substance use.

METHOD:

A web-based survey was filled out by an unselected population during the social distancing measures of the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium that assessed changes in alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis consumption in the period before and during the COVID-19 lockdown and also asked about reasons for change.

RESULTS:

A total of 3,632 respondents (mean age 42.1 ± 14.6 years; 70% female) filled out the survey. Overall, respondents reported consuming more alcohol (d = 0.21) and smoking more cigarettes (d = 0.13) than before the COVID-19 pandemic (both p < 0.001), while no significant changes in the consumption of cannabis were noted. The odds of consuming more alcohol during the lockdown were associated with younger age (OR = 0.981, p < 0.001), more children at home (OR = 1.220, p < 0.001), non-healthcare workers (p < 0.001), and being technically unemployed related to COVID-19 (p = 0.037). The odds of smoking more cigarettes during the lockdown were associated with younger age (OR = 0.988, p = 0.027), current living situation (p < 0.001), lower education (p = 0.015), and working situation related to COVID-19 (p = 0.018). Boredom, lack of social contacts, loss of daily structure, reward after a hard-working day, loneliness, and conviviality were the main reasons for consuming more of the various substances.

CONCLUSIONS:

During the lockdown, individuals consumed slightly more alcohol and smoked marginally more cigarettes compared to the period before the lockdown. Further research focussing on follow-up of individuals at risk may be useful to provide appropriate care in post-COVID times.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Alcohol Drinking / Quarantine / Coronavirus Infections / Pandemics / Marijuana Use / Cigarette Smoking Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Eur Addict Res Journal subject: Substance-Related Disorders Year: 2020 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Alcohol Drinking / Quarantine / Coronavirus Infections / Pandemics / Marijuana Use / Cigarette Smoking Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Eur Addict Res Journal subject: Substance-Related Disorders Year: 2020 Document Type: Article