Abstract

We launched a multinational study to examine changes in substance use during the early phase of the pandemic and to identify factors related to these changes, with a specific focus on the effect of polysubstance use in increasing nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis use. This study was conducted using an online survey in English and seven other languages. The survey included measures focusing on substance use, psychological symptoms, stress, and other health and psychosocial measures. A total sample of 2907 participants was included. The results showed that higher levels of perceived social isolation, depression, and anxiety during the pandemic were associated with increases in nicotine use. Increased alcohol use was associated with feelings of uncertainty and increased depression and anxiety symptoms. Polysubstance use was associated with increases in use of cannabis and alcohol during the pandemic; co-use of cannabis and alcohol increased chances for escalating alcohol use; and increases in cannabis use were influenced by the number rather than the types of substances being used. These results demonstrate a link between COVID-19 related psychological distress and increased substance use during the first wave of the pandemic. They also point-out the contribution of pre-COVID polysubstance use in increases in substance use during COVID-19.

摘要

我们发起了一项多国研究，以检查大流行早期药物使用的变化，并确定与这些变化相关的因素，特别关注多种药物使用对增加尼古丁、酒精和大麻使用的影响。这项研究是使用英语和其他七种语言的在线调查进行的。该调查包括针对物质使用、心理症状、压力以及其他健康和心理社会措施的措施。总共包括 2907 名参与者的样本。结果表明，在大流行期间，较高水平的社会孤立、抑郁和焦虑感与尼古丁使用量的增加有关。饮酒增加与不确定感以及抑郁和焦虑症状增加有关。大流行期间使用多种物质与大麻和酒精的使用增加有关；大麻和酒精的共同使用增加了酒精使用升级的机会；大麻使用量的增加受到数量而非所用物质类型的影响。这些结果表明，在第一波大流行期间，与 COVID-19 相关的心理困扰与物质使用增加之间存在联系。他们还指出了在 COVID-19 期间使用 COVID-19 之前使用多物质对物质使用增加的贡献。这些结果表明，在第一波大流行期间，与 COVID-19 相关的心理困扰与物质使用增加之间存在联系。他们还指出了在 COVID-19 期间使用 COVID-19 之前使用多物质对物质使用增加的贡献。这些结果表明，在第一波大流行期间，与 COVID-19 相关的心理困扰与物质使用增加之间存在联系。他们还指出了在 COVID-19 期间使用 COVID-19 之前使用多物质对物质使用增加的贡献。