Abstract
Background: Patients suffering from addiction are a vulnerable group in the midst of COVID-19, so their healthcare is considered essential. In this paper, the measures and responses of the Drug Addiction Assistance Network of Castile and Leon (DAACYL) in Spain during the first 6 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic are explained. The aim is that this experience could be useful in places where this problem will continue and could help future interventions.Methods: A telephone survey was carried out as the main methodology, to collect information for the subsequent organization and repercussion on professionals and patients. This was carried out by the heads of the 18 DAACYL units. Among the interventions applied, the following stand out: implantation of telemedicine techniques, restriction of daily methadone dispensing, suspension of urine controls and initiation of care programs for the homeless.Results: As a result of these interventions, the professionals observed that patients are less demanding and mostly stable, with a low percentage of relapses. An increase in the consumption of alcohol and benzodiazepines have been reported as more common among people who relapse. Furthermore, the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in the sample is minimal; therefore, different hypotheses should be considered as an explanation (infra-diagnosis, immune system used to aggression, possible anti-inflammatory effect of some psychotropic drugs and a greater perception of danger against infection than the general population).Conclusions: The rapid adaptation and successful implementation of DAACYL have had satisfactory results. On the other hand, the prevention of the possible increase in the development of behavioral addictions and the use of homemade drugs should be considered.
Highlights
Since December 2019, Wuhan, China, reported cases of an acute respiratory disease
One of them is for alcoholics, two outpatient alcohol clinics (OAC), two outpatient dual disorder programs in Salamanca and Zamora integrated into the psychiatric services, 9 Spanish Network against Lung Cancer (AECC) tobacco treatment programs and 5 Tobacco Units/consultations
In all outpatient drug clinics (ODC)/Outpatient alcohol clinic (OAC)/dual disorder programs and day centers, telework was applied, according to the contingency plan, patients could only be contacted by telephone or telematically
Summary
The cause was identified as a new coronavirus, previously unknown in humans, named COVID19, which produces a syndrome called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [1]. The characteristics of this disease include, aside from the pulmonary manifestations, the affectation of other organs [2], including the CNS [3]. During the writing of this article, the disease was declared in 207,634 people in Spain, of whom 23,190 died [4]. Once the pandemic was declared in Spain, the work of reorganization of health and sociohealth services, including mental health care was executed, just like China suggested [2, 5]. The aim is that this experience could be useful in places where this problem will continue and could help future interventions
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