Brief Report: Increased Addictive Internet and Substance Use Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China.
Am J Addict
; 29(4): 268-270, 2020 07.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-913448
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 SCIENTIFICSIGNIFICANCE:
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;0000-00).
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Smoking
/
Behavior, Addictive
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Internet
/
Alcoholism
/
Pandemics
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Am J Addict
Journal subject:
Substance-Related Disorders
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ajad.13066
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