37.4 Substance-Use Pattern Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Clinical Professionals

Abstract

ObjectivesResearch evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has had heterogeneous impacts on young adult mental health and substance use patterns. As a result of the pandemic, many students experienced disruptions in living arrangements and learning environments, which could have either positive or negative consequences for their behavioral health. This study aimed to understand how alcohol, cannabis, and nonmedical prescription stimulant use changed during the pandemic and the degree of disruption that students experienced.MethodsAn online survey was sent to an existing sample of 827 students who participated in an evaluation of an online intervention to reduce nonmedical prescription stimulant use. Among the 452 students that completed the survey (response rate 54.7%), 222 used prescription stimulants nonmedically at the time of the survey.ResultsAmong the individuals who were currently using prescription stimulants nonmedically, almost half (45%) used them less often during the pandemic, 29% used the same amount, and a minority (11%) used them more often. In contrast, 44% of the individuals who used cannabis reported increased use during the pandemic, and 31% of alcohol drinkers reported consuming alcohol more often. A variety of impacts were experienced by the sample (eg, 15% lost a job and 24% got a job). Of the 110 who were currently enrolled as a student, the majority reported that the learning environment and remote learning had a negative impact on them. Although 84% reported being in need of time management strategies to improve their performance, only a minority (5%) said that they were in need of nonmedical prescription stimulants to manage academic challenges.ConclusionsThe findings from this study contribute to our evolving knowledge on the impact of the pandemic on substance use among young adults. Continued clinical monitoring for escalation of problems, utilization of nonpharmacologic time management education, and encouragement of adaptive coping strategies are warranted.COLST, STIM, SUD ObjectivesResearch evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has had heterogeneous impacts on young adult mental health and substance use patterns. As a result of the pandemic, many students experienced disruptions in living arrangements and learning environments, which could have either positive or negative consequences for their behavioral health. This study aimed to understand how alcohol, cannabis, and nonmedical prescription stimulant use changed during the pandemic and the degree of disruption that students experienced. Research evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has had heterogeneous impacts on young adult mental health and substance use patterns. As a result of the pandemic, many students experienced disruptions in living arrangements and learning environments, which could have either positive or negative consequences for their behavioral health. This study aimed to understand how alcohol, cannabis, and nonmedical prescription stimulant use changed during the pandemic and the degree of disruption that students experienced. MethodsAn online survey was sent to an existing sample of 827 students who participated in an evaluation of an online intervention to reduce nonmedical prescription stimulant use. Among the 452 students that completed the survey (response rate 54.7%), 222 used prescription stimulants nonmedically at the time of the survey. An online survey was sent to an existing sample of 827 students who participated in an evaluation of an online intervention to reduce nonmedical prescription stimulant use. Among the 452 students that completed the survey (response rate 54.7%), 222 used prescription stimulants nonmedically at the time of the survey. ResultsAmong the individuals who were currently using prescription stimulants nonmedically, almost half (45%) used them less often during the pandemic, 29% used the same amount, and a minority (11%) used them more often. In contrast, 44% of the individuals who used cannabis reported increased use during the pandemic, and 31% of alcohol drinkers reported consuming alcohol more often. A variety of impacts were experienced by the sample (eg, 15% lost a job and 24% got a job). Of the 110 who were currently enrolled as a student, the majority reported that the learning environment and remote learning had a negative impact on them. Although 84% reported being in need of time management strategies to improve their performance, only a minority (5%) said that they were in need of nonmedical prescription stimulants to manage academic challenges. Among the individuals who were currently using prescription stimulants nonmedically, almost half (45%) used them less often during the pandemic, 29% used the same amount, and a minority (11%) used them more often. In contrast, 44% of the individuals who used cannabis reported increased use during the pandemic, and 31% of alcohol drinkers reported consuming alcohol more often. A variety of impacts were experienced by the sample (eg, 15% lost a job and 24% got a job). Of the 110 who were currently enrolled as a student, the majority reported that the learning environment and remote learning had a negative impact on them. Although 84% reported being in need of time management strategies to improve their performance, only a minority (5%) said that they were in need of nonmedical prescription stimulants to manage academic challenges. ConclusionsThe findings from this study contribute to our evolving knowledge on the impact of the pandemic on substance use among young adults. Continued clinical monitoring for escalation of problems, utilization of nonpharmacologic time management education, and encouragement of adaptive coping strategies are warranted.COLST, STIM, SUD The findings from this study contribute to our evolving knowledge on the impact of the pandemic on substance use among young adults. Continued clinical monitoring for escalation of problems, utilization of nonpharmacologic time management education, and encouragement of adaptive coping strategies are warranted.