Use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other substances during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Europe: a survey on 36,000 European substance users

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Jakob Manthey - , Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Hamburg, Leipzig University (Author)
  • Carolin Kilian - , Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Behavioral Epidemiology (Author)
  • Sinclair Carr - , University of Hamburg (Author)
  • Miroslav Bartak - , Charles University Prague (Author)
  • Kim Bloomfield - , Aarhus University, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, University of Southern Denmark, Public Health Institute Oakland (Author)
  • Fleur Braddick - , Clínic Foundation for Biomedical Research (FCRB), University of Barcelona (Author)
  • Antoni Gual - , Clínic Foundation for Biomedical Research (FCRB), University of Barcelona, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (Author)
  • Maria Neufeld - , Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, World Health Organization, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), University of Toronto (Author)
  • Amy O’Donnell - , Newcastle University (Author)
  • Benjamin Petruzelka - , Charles University Prague (Author)
  • Vladimir Rogalewicz - , Charles University Prague (Author)
  • Ingeborg Rossow - , Norwegian Institute of Public Health (Author)
  • Bernd Schulte - , University of Hamburg (Author)
  • Jürgen Rehm - , Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Behavioral Epidemiology, University of Hamburg, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), University of Toronto, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Author)

Abstract

Background: SARS-CoV-2 reached Europe in early 2020 and disrupted the private and public life of its citizens, with potential implications for substance use. The objective of this study was to describe possible changes in substance use in the first months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Europe. Methods: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional online survey of 36,538 adult substance users from 21 European countries conducted between April 24 and July 22 of 2020. Self-perceived changes in substance use were measured by asking respondents whether their use had decreased (slightly or substantially), increased (slightly or substantially), or not changed during the past month. The survey covered alcohol (frequency, quantity, and heavy episodic drinking occasions), tobacco, cannabis, and other illicit drug use. Sample weighted data were descriptively analysed and compared across substances. Results: Across all countries, use of all substances remained unchanged for around half of the respondents, while the remainder reported either a decrease or increase in their substance use. For alcohol use, overall, a larger proportion of respondents indicated a decrease than those reporting an increase. In contrast, more respondents reported increases in their tobacco and cannabis use during the previous month compared to those reporting decreased use. No distinct direction of change was reported for other substance use. Conclusions: Our findings suggest changes in use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis during the initial months of the pandemic in several European countries. This study offers initial insights into changes in substance use. Other data sources, such as sales statistics, should be used to corroborate these preliminary findings.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number36
JournalSubstance Abuse: Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
Volume16
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 26 Apr 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 33902668

Keywords

Research priority areas of TU Dresden

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Alcohol, Cannabis, COVID-19, Europe, Substance use, Survey, Tobacco

Library keywords