1
|
Tully JL, Bridge O, Rennie J, Krecké J, Stevens T. The rising use of cognitive enhancement drugs and predictors of use during COVID-19: findings from a cross-sectional survey of students and university staff in the UK. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1356496. [PMID: 39077204 PMCID: PMC11284161 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1356496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The use of psychoactive substances to increase cognitive performance while studying has been termed 'pharmacological cognitive enhancement' (PCE). In previous years, several large-scale national surveys have focused on their use by students at university, including drug types, prevalence rates, and predictive factors. The recent coronavirus pandemic brought about widespread structural changes for UK universities, as students were forced to adapt to home-based learning and in many cases reduced academic support. No study has yet focused primarily on the impact of pandemic social restrictions on PCE in students and academic staff, and whether personality and demographic factors reveal user profiles that predict use during the pandemic period. Method A convenience sample of 736 UK students and staff aged 18-54 (M = 22.2, SD = 5.2) completed a cross-sectional survey assessing PCE prevalence rates, polydrug use, perceived effects, academic self-efficacy and personality during the first year of social restrictions (March 2020 - February 2021) compared with the previous year (March 2019 - February 2020). Results There was a significant self-reported rise in the use of all drug types (all ps < 0.001) during social restrictions, particularly with Modafinil (+42%), nutraceuticals (+30.2%) and microdose LSD (+22.2%). Respondents also indicated stronger PCE effects for all substances, except alcohol, in comparison to the previous year. Polydrug use with modafinil and other prescription stimulants increased the most during social restrictions. Personality factors and gender identity reliably predicted PCE use and lower agreeableness was often the strongest predictor, followed by identifying as male and lower conscientiousness. Academic self-efficacy and student/academic staff status were not consistent predictors. Conclusion This is the first survey of UK students to investigate PCE during coronavirus social restrictions and to assess predictive factors. Findings reveal a rise in PCE use and polydrug use which we suggest is because of increased pressures on students created by the lockdown and reduced access to university resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L. Tully
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Bridge
- School of Education, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Rennie
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Joy Krecké
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Tobias Stevens
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hassan Kalantar Neyestanaki M, Gholizadeh O, Hosseini Tabatabaie F, Akbarzadeh S, Yasamineh S, Afkhami H, Sedighi S. Immunomodulatory effects of cannabinoids against viral infections: a review of its potential use in SARS-CoV2 infection. Virusdisease 2024; 35:342-356. [PMID: 39071880 PMCID: PMC11269557 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-024-00871-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis affecting millions of people worldwide. Along with vaccine development, there is also a priority to discover new drugs and treatments. One approach involves modulating the immune system to manage inflammation and cytokine storms. Patients with a high severity of complications exhibit a high level of inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6, in the airways and other infected tissues. Several studies have reported the function of the endocannabinoid system in regulating inflammation and different immune responses. Cannabinoids are a class of natural chemicals found in the Cannabis plant. Recently, the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids and their mediatory immunosuppression mechanisms through the endocannabinoid system have engrossed scientists in the health field for infectious conditions. Research suggests that the immune system can regulate cytokine activation through cannabinoid receptors, particularly with Cannabidiol (CBD), the second most prevalent compound in cannabis. While CBD has been deemed safe by the World Health Organization and shows no signs of abuse potential, excessive CBD use may lead to respiratory depression. CBD shows promise in reducing immune cell recruitment and cytokine storms in organs affected by SARS-CoV2. However, before clinical use, it's crucial to evaluate cannabinoid-based medications' active ingredient concentrations and potential interactions with other drugs, along with associated side effects. Indication-based dosing, consistent formulations, and ensuring purity and potency are essential. This review highlights cannabinoids' effects on COVID-19 management and prognosis, drawing from preclinical and clinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fatemeh Hosseini Tabatabaie
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sama Akbarzadeh
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saman Yasamineh
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hamed Afkhami
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Sedighi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Science of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Smith BP, Hoots B, DePadilla L, Roehler DR, Holland KM, Bowen DA, Sumner SA. Using Transformer-Based Topic Modeling to Examine Discussions of Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol: Content Analysis. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e49469. [PMID: 38127427 PMCID: PMC10767625 DOI: 10.2196/49469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a psychoactive cannabinoid found in small amounts naturally in the cannabis plant; it can also be synthetically produced in larger quantities from hemp-derived cannabidiol. Most states permit the sale of hemp and hemp-derived cannabidiol products; thus, hemp-derived delta-8 THC products have become widely available in many state hemp marketplaces, even where delta-9 THC, the most prominently occurring THC isomer in cannabis, is not currently legal. Health concerns related to the processing of delta-8 THC products and their psychoactive effects remain understudied. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to implement a novel topic modeling approach based on transformers, a state-of-the-art natural language processing architecture, to identify and describe emerging trends and topics of discussion about delta-8 THC from social media discourse, including potential symptoms and adverse health outcomes experienced by people using delta-8 THC products. METHODS Posts from January 2008 to December 2021 discussing delta-8 THC were isolated from cannabis-related drug forums on Reddit (Reddit Inc), a social media platform that hosts the largest web-based drug forums worldwide. Unsupervised topic modeling with state-of-the-art transformer-based models was used to cluster posts into topics and assign labels describing the kinds of issues being discussed with respect to delta-8 THC. Results were then validated by human subject matter experts. RESULTS There were 41,191 delta-8 THC posts identified and 81 topics isolated, the most prevalent being (1) discussion of specific brands or products, (2) comparison of delta-8 THC to other hemp-derived cannabinoids, and (3) safety warnings. About 5% (n=1220) of posts from the resulting topics included content discussing health-related symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disturbance, and breathing problems. Until 2020, Reddit posts contained fewer than 10 mentions of delta-8-THC for every 100,000 cannabis posts annually. However, in 2020, these rates increased by 13 times the 2019 rate (to 99.2 mentions per 100,000 cannabis posts) and continued to increase into 2021 (349.5 mentions per 100,000 cannabis posts). CONCLUSIONS Our study provides insights into emerging public health concerns around delta-8 THC, a novel substance about which little is known. Furthermore, we demonstrate the use of transformer-based unsupervised learning approaches to derive intelligible topics from highly unstructured discussions of delta-8 THC, which may help improve the timeliness of identification of emerging health concerns related to new substances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandi Patrice Smith
- Office of Strategy and Innovation, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Brooke Hoots
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
- US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lara DePadilla
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Douglas R Roehler
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kristin M Holland
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Daniel A Bowen
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Steven A Sumner
- Office of Strategy and Innovation, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rebucini A, Origo F, Schionato F, Romolo FS. Restrictive measures and substance use reporting: New evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 122:104238. [PMID: 37890390 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies have been conducted on the impact of lockdown and containment measures on various aspects of individual and social behaviour, including substance use. The increasing body of literature investigating this phenomenon emphasizes the need for additional studies at the local level. We investigate changes in reported illicit drug consumption following changes in public measures limiting individual mobility in the province of Bergamo, one of the regions that faced the most severe consequences in terms of number of cases and death toll in the early stages of the pandemic. METHODS The empirical analysis is based on a unique dataset covering all people recorded by police forces as drug users between January 2019 and December 2021 in the province of Bergamo. Data relate to reports for illicit drug consumption and not criminal activities. RESULTS Estimates show that, during periods when individual mobility was severely limited, the probability of reported cannabis consumption decreased by 8-9%, while that of reported cocaine use increased by 6-12%. No significant changes emerge in the reported consumption of heroin or polysubstance. Furthermore, while reported cannabis use returned to pre-pandemic levels once the restrictive measures were eased, the increased likelihood of reported cocaine use appears to have been more long-lasting. These findings are robust to alternative estimation strategies and different model specifications. Our study also reveals significant gender, age and housing status disparities in reported drug use. CONCLUSION We provide a novel and distinctive perspective on the topic by using previously unexploited administrative data sources. We show that the relationship between restrictions and reported drug use varies by type of substance. Our methodology and findings can support the design of targeted policies for better resource allocation and improved public health outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rebucini
- Department of Economics, Università degli Studi di Bergamo, Via dei Caniana 2, 24127 Bergamo, Italy.
| | - Federica Origo
- Department of Economics, Università degli Studi di Bergamo, Via dei Caniana 2, 24127 Bergamo, Italy; IZA, Bonn, Germany
| | - Francesca Schionato
- Department of Law, Università degli Studi di Bergamo, Via dei Caniana 2, 24127 Bergamo, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mehra K, Rup J, Wiese JL, Watson TM, Bonato S, Rueda S. Changes in self-reported cannabis use during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2139. [PMID: 37915021 PMCID: PMC10621278 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17068-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting mental health and substance use (MHSU) issues worldwide. The purpose of this study was to characterize the literature on changes in cannabis use during the pandemic and the factors associated with such changes. METHODS We conducted a scoping review by searching peer-reviewed databases and grey literature from January 2020 to May 2022 using the Arksey and O'Malley Framework. Two independent reviewers screened a total of 4235 documents. We extracted data from 129 documents onto a data extraction form and collated results using content analytical techniques. RESULTS Nearly half (48%) of the studies reported an increase/initiation of cannabis use, while 36% studies reported no change, and 16% reported a decrease/cessation of cannabis use during the pandemic. Factors associated with increased cannabis use included socio-demographic factors (e.g., younger age), health related factors (e.g., increased symptom burden), MHSU factors (e.g., anxiety, depression), pandemic-specific reactions (e.g., stress, boredom, social isolation), cannabis-related factors (e.g., dependence), and policy-related factors (e.g., legalization of medical/recreational cannabis). CONCLUSION Public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic have the potential to significantly impact cannabis use. The pandemic has placed urgency on improving coping mechanisms and supports that help populations adapt to major and sudden life changes. To better prepare health care systems for future pandemics, wide-reaching education on how pandemic-related change impacts cannabis use is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamna Mehra
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Jennifer Rup
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Jessica L Wiese
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Tara Marie Watson
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7, Canada
| | - Sarah Bonato
- Library Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
| | - Sergio Rueda
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada.
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tripathi O, Bellettiere J, Liles S, Shi Y. Location and home rules of cannabis use - Findings from marijuana use and environmental survey 2020, a nationally representative survey in the United States. Prev Med Rep 2023; 35:102289. [PMID: 37408996 PMCID: PMC10319339 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis combustion and aerosolization may be associated with adverse health for users and nonusers through secondhand and thirdhand exposure. As cannabis regulation becomes more lenient, understanding where cannabis is used and whether homes have rules restricting use is needed. This study aimed to identify locations, presence of other people, and in-home rules of cannabis use in the United States (U.S.). This secondary analysis of 3,464 inhalation-based (smoking, vaping, dabbing) cannabis users in past 12 months drew from a cross-sectional probability-based online panel of 21,903 U.S. adults in early 2020, providing nationally representative estimates. We describe presence of other people and location at most recent use (smoking, vaping, dabbing, respectively). We also describe household restrictions on in-home cannabis smoking by cannabis smokers vs non-smokers, and by presence of children in home. Cannabis smoking, vaping, and dabbing most often occurred at users' own homes (65.7%, 56.8%, and 46.9%, respectively). More than 60% of smoking, vaping, and dabbing occurred with someone else present. About 68% of inhalation-based cannabis users (70% and 55%, smokers and non-smokers, respectively) did not have complete restrictions on in-home cannabis smoking; among them, over a quarter lived with children under 18. In the U.S., inhalation-based cannabis use most commonly occurs at home, with others present and a substantial proportion of users lacking complete in-home cannabis smoking restrictions, raising risks of secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure. These circumstances demand residential interventions for developing bans on indoor cannabis smoking, especially around vulnerable children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Osika Tripathi
- The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - John Bellettiere
- The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sandy Liles
- The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Yuyan Shi
- The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Connolly DJ, Eraslan E, Gilchrist G. Coronavirus (COVID-19) and sexualised drug use among men who have sex with men: a systematic review. Sex Health 2023; 20:375-384. [PMID: 37460309 DOI: 10.1071/sh23071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Drug-related harms, including harms from sexualised drug use (SDU), are disproportionately experienced by sexual and gender minority people, relative to their majority counterparts. Chemsex, a type of SDU practiced mainly by MSM, is associated with methamphetamine use and increased HIV seropositivity or risk of acquisition. Therefore, participants are at increased risk of immunocompromise. Existing evidence suggests that drug use increases following natural disasters. The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on chemsex is unknown. A PRISMA-adherent systematic review was conducted to synthesise reports of changes in the prevalence, frequency, or characteristics of drug use (and factors associated with these changes) following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report presents findings related to SDU/chemsex among MSM. A comprehensive search across nine databases, supplemented with backward-forward citation searching and contact with key opinion leaders, was conducted. Two reviewers carried out title-abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction. Following a final, single database search, nine studies were included in the narrative synthesis. More than half the sample were studies investigating HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis use. Twenty percent of participants in most studies reported chemsex participation. In four, participants reported a net increase or maintenance of chemsex participation during the pandemic and five reported a net decrease. Increased chemsex participation was associated with loneliness, cravings, and working during the pandemic. Decreased chemsex practice was associated with COVID-19-related fear. This synthesis suggests that chemsex practice continued, and for some MSM increased, throughout COVID-19 pandemic 'lockdowns'. This may have increased COVID-19 transmission and severity among potentially vulnerable MSM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dean J Connolly
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Windsor Walk, London, UK
| | - Ece Eraslan
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Windsor Walk, London, UK
| | - Gail Gilchrist
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Windsor Walk, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Olthof MIA, Goudriaan AE, van Laar MW, Blankers M. A guided digital intervention to reduce cannabis use: The ICan randomized controlled trial. Addiction 2023; 118:1775-1786. [PMID: 37128762 DOI: 10.1111/add.16217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To test the effectiveness of a digital intervention to reduce cannabis use (ICan) with adherence-focused guidance compared with educational cannabis information. DESIGN This was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Follow-up clinical outcome measurements took place 3 and 6 months after randomization. SETTING The trial was conducted in the Netherlands. The intervention and guidance took place on-line, with recruitment via Facebook/Instagram advertisement campaigns. PARTICIPANTS Inclusion criteria were ≥ 18 years, cannabis use on ≥ 3 days/week, the desire to reduce/quit cannabis and using a smartphone. Participants were allocated to either ICan (n = 188) or control (n = 190) (69% male, mean age = 27.5 years). INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR ICan is a mobile (web-)application based on motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy and includes three main components: screening, brief intervention (six modules) and referral to treatment. The control condition consisted of non-interactive educational cannabis information. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcome was the number of cannabis use days in the 7 days prior to the 6-month follow-up measurement. Secondary outcome measures at 3- and 6-month follow-up were the number of grams of cannabis used and attitudes towards seeking professional help for cannabis use related problems. FINDINGS Intention-to-treat analysis showed that 6 months after randomization the mean number of cannabis use days in the past 7 days was reduced in both conditions (time P < 0.001), with no significant group × time interaction effect [ICan = 4.17 days, control = 4.31 days, Cohen's dbetween = 0.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.15, 0.26, P = 0.93]. Three months after randomization the mean number of grams used in the past 7 days was reduced in both conditions, with a significantly larger reduction in the ICan condition (P = 0.009, Cohen's dbetween = 0.15). At 6-month follow-up the significant group × time interaction effect was no longer present (P = 0.30). In both conditions, attitudes towards seeking professional help remained virtually unchanged over time. CONCLUSIONS A digital intervention to reduce cannabis use (ICan) was more effective than non-interactive educational cannabis information in reducing grams of cannabis used over 3 months, but not more effective at reducing cannabis use days at 6-month follow-up. Cannabis use reductions were maintained in both conditions between 3 and 6 months' follow-up.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marleen I A Olthof
- Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anna E Goudriaan
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Margriet W van Laar
- Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Blankers
- Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Newport K, Bishop L, Donnan J, Pal S, Najafizada M. The COVID-19 pandemic and cannabis use in Canada-a scoping review. J Cannabis Res 2023; 5:31. [PMID: 37525289 PMCID: PMC10388476 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-023-00196-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, the cannabis industry has adapted to public health emergency orders which had direct and indirect consequences on cannabis consumption. The objective of this scoping review was to describe the patterns of consumption and cannabis-related health and safety considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. METHODS For this scoping review, we searched four electronic databases supplemented with grey literature. Peer-reviewed or pre-print studies using any study design and grey literature reporting real-world data were included if published in English between March 2020 and September 2021 and focused on cannabis and COVID-19 in Canada. A content analysis was performed. RESULTS Twenty-one studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Study designs included cross-sectional surveys (n = 17), ecological study (n = 1), conceptual paper (n = 1), longitudinal study (n = 1), and prospective cohort study (n = 1). Most were conducted solely in Canada (n = 18), and the remaining included global data. Our content analysis suggested that cannabis consumption during the pandemic varied by reasons for use, consumers' age, gender, and method of consumption. Health and safety impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemics included increased mental illness, increased emergency visits, and psychosocial impacts. DISCUSSION This scoping review suggested that the impact of the pandemic on cannabis consumption in Canada is more complex than simplistic assumptions of an increase or decrease in consumption and continues to be difficult to measure. This study has explored some of those complexities in relation to reasons for use, age, gender, method of consumption, and health impacts. This scoping review is limited by focusing on the breadth compared to depth. CONCLUSIONS Legalizing nonmedical use of cannabis in Canada in 2018 has had its challenges of implementation, one of which has been the changing context of the society. The findings of this study can help inform cannabis policy updates in Canada as the country is reaching its fifth year of legalizing nonmedical use of cannabis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelda Newport
- School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, 300 Prince Phillip Drive, NL, A1B 3V6, St. John's, Canada
| | - Lisa Bishop
- School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, 300 Prince Phillip Drive, NL, A1B 3V6, St. John's, Canada
| | - Jennifer Donnan
- School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Shefali Pal
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, 300 Prince Phillip Drive, NL, A1B 3V6, St. John's, Canada
| | - Maisam Najafizada
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, 300 Prince Phillip Drive, NL, A1B 3V6, St. John's, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Vernich F, Stefani L, Fiorelli D, Mineo F, Pallocci M, Treglia M, Marsella LT, Tittarelli R. Trends in Illicit Cannabis Potency based on the Analysis of Law Enforcement Seizures in the Southern Area of Rome. TOXICS 2023; 11:648. [PMID: 37624154 PMCID: PMC10458633 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11080648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis remains the most illicitly produced and consumed substance worldwide, and the average trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in cannabis products (marijuana, hashish) has increased over time. This paper presents data about THC concentration in cannabis resin samples seized by law enforcement from 2015 to 2022 in the southern area of Rome (Italy). From 2015 to 2022, more than 1000 hashish samples were analyzed; the average THC content was 18.0% and dramatically increased from 13.7% (2015) to 27.1% (2022). The potency of THC in some samples characterized by unusual shape and color was higher than 24% and, in a few cases, higher than 40%. The age group most involved in seizures of cannabis resin concerned males aged between 15 and 36 years old. The spread of this phenomenon increases the risk of adverse health outcomes. Many observational studies compare the increased cannabis potency with the onset of psychosis, depression, anxiety and cannabis use disorders (CUDs), mainly in young adults. THC-potency monitoring provides data that can be helpful to create a network of communication and interaction between universities, and legislative and public health institutions to support education, awareness and surveillance related to cannabis abuse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Vernich
- Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Section of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Social Security and Forensic Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Stefani
- Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Section of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Social Security and Forensic Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Denise Fiorelli
- Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Section of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Social Security and Forensic Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Mineo
- Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Section of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Social Security and Forensic Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita Pallocci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Treglia
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Tonino Marsella
- Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Section of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Social Security and Forensic Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Tittarelli
- Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Section of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Social Security and Forensic Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Parisi CE, Wang Y, Varma DS, Vaddiparti K, Ibañez GE, Carrillo LC, Cook RL. Changes in frequency of cannabis use among people with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-methods study to explore the underlying reasons for change. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2023; 49:470-480. [PMID: 36898081 PMCID: PMC10695005 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2176234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Background: People with HIV (PWH) report higher rates of cannabis use than the general population. It is unclear how cannabis use among PWH has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications for the health and wellbeing of PWH.Objectives: To describe changes in frequency of cannabis use among a sample of PWH during the pandemic, reasons for those changes, and implications of the findings.Methods: The data are cross-sectional and come from questions asked in a follow-up phone survey administered to a prospective cohort of PWH in Florida between May 2020 and March 2021. Participants who used cannabis were asked about changes in their frequency of cannabis use in a quantitative survey and reasons for changes in a qualitative open-ended question. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Among 227 PWH (mean age 50, 50% men, 69% Black/African American, 14% Hispanic/Latino), 13% decreased frequency of cannabis, 11% increased frequency, and 76% reported no change. The most common reasons for increasing frequency of cannabis use were reducing anxiety/stress, trying to relax, coping with grief or reducing symptoms of depression, and reducing boredom during the pandemic. Supply or access issues, health concerns, and having already wanted to reduce cannabis use were common reasons for decreased frequency.Conclusion: Nearly 25% of the sample changed their cannabis use frequency during the pandemic. These findings shed light on the behaviors and motivations of PWH who use cannabis and can inform clinical practice and interventions during public health emergencies and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Deepthi S. Varma
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | | | - Gladys E. Ibañez
- Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | | | - Robert L. Cook
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Fedorova EV, Wong CF, Conn BM, Ataiants J, Lankenau SE. COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Attitudes Within Two Cohorts of Younger Adult Cannabis Users. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 2023; 53:422-430. [PMID: 38603185 PMCID: PMC9527554 DOI: 10.1177/00220426221131488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
It is crucial to understand COVID-19 vaccine uptake and attitudes among young adult cannabis users given the lowest vaccination rates among young adults and negative association between cannabis use and willingness to get vaccinated. 18-21-year-old and 26-33-year-old cohorts of cannabis users, recruited in California, were surveyed about the COVID-19 vaccine uptake/attitudes between March-August 2021. Cannabis use/demographic differences were investigated by vaccination status. Vaccine attitudes data were categorized and presented descriptively. 44.4% of the older and 71.8% of the younger cohorts were vaccinated. Non-Hispanic Black/African American race/ethnicity, lack of health insurance, and medicinal orientation towards cannabis use were negatively associated with vaccine receipt within the older cohort. For both cohorts, top reasons for vaccine hesitancy and rejection were concerns about speed of development, potential side effects, natural immunity, and lack of trust of vaccines. Our results highlight greater vaccine hesitance/rejection and need for targeted interventions among mid-20's-early-30's cannabis users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina V. Fedorova
- Department of Community Health and
Prevention, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carolyn F. Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of
Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Division of Research on Children, Youth,
and Families, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Bridgid M. Conn
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of
Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Janna Ataiants
- Department of Community Health and
Prevention, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephen E. Lankenau
- Department of Community Health and
Prevention, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Amerio A, Stival C, Bosetti C, Carreras G, Fanucchi T, Gorini G, Lugo A, Pacifici R, Serafini G, Odone A, Gallus S. Cannabis use in repeated representative cross-sectional studies on Italian adults after the COVID-19 pandemic. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 164:382-388. [PMID: 37418885 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.06.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Lockdown measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 yielded dramatic changes in drug consumption. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of 6003 Italian adults (18-74 years) in April-May 2020 - reporting information before lockdown and at the time of interview - and two years later (i.e., in February-March 2022). Italian adults using cannabis decreased from 7.0% in pre-pandemic to 5.9% during lockdown (percent change -15.7%) and to 6.7% in 2022 (-4.3%). The reduction was particularly evident among adults aged 55-74 years, whereas cannabis use strongly increased among those aged 18-34 years. In the last period considered (2022), cannabis use was significantly more frequent in men (adjusted odds ratio, OR = 1.43), adults aged 18-34 years (p-trend <0.001), individuals with a low or high level of education (OR = 1.42 and 1.46, respectively), those from Central or Southern Italy/islands (OR = 1.50 and 1.38, respectively), and those with an economic status above the average (OR = 3.07). In 2022, cannabis use was also more frequently reported in current smokers (OR = 3.52), current e-cigarette and heated tobacco product users (OR = 6.09 and 2.94, respectively), individuals with a risky alcohol consumption (OR = 4.60), gamblers (OR = 3.76), those with anxiety and depression (OR = 2.50 and 2.80, respectively), those using psychotropic drugs (OR = 8.96), those with a low quality of life (OR = 1.91), and those sleeping less (OR = 1.42). After the COVID-19 pandemic, cannabis use was more frequent in individuals with other addictive behaviours, and with anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Amerio
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Chiara Stival
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Cristina Bosetti
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giulia Carreras
- Oncologic Network, Prevention and Research Institute (ISPRO), Florence, Italy.
| | | | - Giuseppe Gorini
- Oncologic Network, Prevention and Research Institute (ISPRO), Florence, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Lugo
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Roberta Pacifici
- National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Serafini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Anna Odone
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Silvano Gallus
- Department of Medical Epidemiology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lake S, Assaf RD, Gorbach PM, Cooper ZD. Changes in secondary substance use after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use cannabis: Findings from a web-based sample of adults in the United States. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2023; 31:482-490. [PMID: 35467920 PMCID: PMC9592680 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had widespread impacts on mental health and substance use. Increases in cannabis use have been documented in the United States, but little is known about how other substance use has changed among people who use cannabis. We sought to examine changes in alcohol, tobacco, opioid, and stimulant use during COVID-19 and explore how these changes relate to patterns of cannabis use. Data were obtained from a web-based survey of adults in the United States who use cannabis (n = 1,471) administered in September 2020. Using data reported in retrospective (prepandemic) and time-of-survey assessment periods, we explored changes in the prevalence of regular (≥ weekly) alcohol, tobacco, opioid, and stimulant use during COVID-19 among respondents who used medical and nonmedical cannabis. We used modified Poisson regression to examine cannabis-related correlates of increasing or decreasing secondary substance use during the pandemic. There was a slight but significant increase in ≥weekly alcohol use in the medical use group only (41.4%-47.0%, p = .034). ≥ Weekly tobacco, opioid, and stimulant use did not change significantly. Pandemic-concurrent shifts in secondary substance use depended on interacting cannabis-related factors including medical cannabis use, prepandemic cannabis frequency, and pandemic-concurrent frequency changes. For example, ≥ weekly prepandemic cannabis use was significantly and positively associated with decreasing opioid use frequency among the medical cannabis use group only. Assessments of the pandemic's effects on substance use should consider relationships between cannabis and other substances, which may differ according to cannabis-specific behaviors, motives, and contexts of use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Lake
- UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Ryan D. Assaf
- UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles
- Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Pamina M. Gorbach
- UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles
- Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Ziva D. Cooper
- UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kroon E, Mansueto A, Kuhns L, Filbey F, Wiers R, Cousijn J. Gender differences in cannabis use disorder symptoms: A network analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 243:109733. [PMID: 36565568 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While cannabis use in women is increasing worldwide, research into gender differences in cannabis use disorder (CUD) symptomology is lacking. In response to limited effectiveness of addiction treatment, research focus has been shifting from clinical diagnoses towards interactions between symptoms, as patterns of symptoms and their interactions could be crucial in understanding etiological mechanisms in addiction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CUD symptom network and assess whether there are gender differences therein. METHODS A total of 1257 Dutch individuals reporting weekly cannabis use, including 745 men and 512 women, completed online questionnaires assessing DSM-5 CUD symptoms and additional items on plans to quit or reduce use, cigarette use, and the presence of psychological diagnoses. Gender differences were assessed for all variables and an Ising model estimation method was used to estimate CUD symptom networks in men and women using network comparison tests to assess differences. RESULTS There were gender differences in the prevalence of 6 of the 11 symptoms, but symptom networks did not differ between men and women. Cigarette use appeared to only be connected to the network through withdrawal, indicating a potential role of cigarette smoking in enhancing cannabis withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, there were gender differences in the network associations of mood and anxiety disorders with CUD symptoms. CONCLUSION The association between smoking and withdrawal as well as gender differences in the role of comorbidities in the CUD network highlight the value of using network models to understand CUD and how symptom interactions might affect treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emese Kroon
- Neuroscience of Addiction (NofA) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; ADAPT-laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Alessandra Mansueto
- ADAPT-laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Centre for Urban Mental Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Psychological Methods, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lauren Kuhns
- Neuroscience of Addiction (NofA) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; ADAPT-laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Francesca Filbey
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Reinout Wiers
- ADAPT-laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Centre for Urban Mental Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Janna Cousijn
- Neuroscience of Addiction (NofA) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lake S, Assaf RD, Gorbach PM, Cooper ZD. Selective Changes in Medical Cannabis Use Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a Web-Based Sample of Adults in the United States. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023; 8:174-183. [PMID: 35073161 PMCID: PMC9940798 DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread impacts on mental health and substance use. While increases in nonmedical cannabis use during COVID-19 have been documented among people who use cannabis across a diversity of settings, changes in specific medical applications of cannabis during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been characterized. We sought to examine changes in the prevalence, frequency, and mode of use of medical cannabis for a range of commonly treated conditions and symptoms during COVID-19. Methods: Data were obtained from an online survey of a sample of adults in the United States who use cannabis (n=1886), administered in September 2020. This study was restricted to participants who self-reported past-year medical cannabis use (n=598). Using data reported in a retrospective (pre-COVID) and current assessment period, we examined changes in cannabis use prevalence, frequency, and inhalation as the primary mode of administration for 11 commonly treated conditions. Results: There were slight but statistically significant increases in weekly (from 21.4% to 23.4%) and daily (from 16.2% to 20.7%) self-reported medical cannabis use during COVID-19 (p<0.001). Anxiety was the only specific therapeutic purpose for which daily cannabis use increased statistically significantly during COVID-19 (18.5% to 25.4%; p=0.004). In multivariable logistic regression, the odds of increasing cannabis use for anxiety during COVID-19 were statistically significantly higher for women, respondents from Western states, and states with legal medical and nonmedical cannabis. Discussion: We detected slight shifts toward higher frequencies of medical cannabis use during COVID-19. Disaggregated by therapeutic indication, daily cannabis use to manage anxiety increased during the pandemic. There is a need to assess whether changes in cannabis use that coincided with the pandemic will be sustained over time, and how these changes are connected to mental health outcomes, particularly among women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Lake
- UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ryan D. Assaf
- UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pamina M. Gorbach
- UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ziva D. Cooper
- UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Domínguez-Martínez T, Sheinbaum T, Fresán A, Nieto L, López SR, Robles R, Lara MDC, de la Fuente-Sandoval C, Barrantes-Vidal N, Saracco R, Franco-Paredes K, Díaz-Reséndiz F, Rosel M. Psychosocial factors associated with the risk of developing psychosis in a Mexican general population sample. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1095222. [PMID: 36873227 PMCID: PMC9979221 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1095222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence has linked an array of sociodemographic and psychosocial factors with an increased risk of developing psychosis. However, research in samples from low- and middle-income countries is still scarce. This study used a Mexican sample to explore (i) sociodemographic and psychosocial differences between individuals with and without a positive screen for Clinical High-Risk for psychosis (CHR), and (ii) sociodemographic and psychosocial factors associated with screening positive for CHR. The sample consisted of 822 individuals from the general population who completed an online survey. Of the participants, 17.3% (n = 142) met the CHR screening criteria. Comparisons between those who screened positive (CHR-positive group) and those who did not (Non-CHR group) showed that participants in the CHR-positive group were younger, had a lower educational level, and reported more mental health problems than the Non-CHR group. Furthermore, relative to the Non-CHR group, the CHR-positive group had a greater prevalence of medium/high risk associated with cannabis use, a higher prevalence of adverse experiences (bullying, intimate partner violence, and experiencing a violent or unexpected death of a relative or friend), as well as higher levels of childhood maltreatment, poorer family functioning, and more distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Groups did not differ in sex, marital/relationship status, occupation, and socio-economic status. Finally, when examined in multivariate analyses, the variables associated with screening positive for CHR were: having an unhealthy family functioning (OR = 2.75, 95%CI 1.69-4.46), a higher risk associated with cannabis use (OR = 2.75, 95%CI 1.63-4.64), a lower level of education (OR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.003-2.54), having experienced a major natural disaster (OR = 1.94, 95%CI 1.18-3.16), having experienced a violent or unexpected death of a relative or friend (OR = 1.85, 95%CI 1.22-2.81), higher levels of childhood emotional abuse (OR = 1.88, 95%CI 1.09-3.25), physical neglect (OR = 1.68, 95%CI 1.08-2.61), and physical abuse (OR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.05-2.61), and higher COVID-related distress (OR = 1.10, 95%CI 1.01-1.20). An older age was a protective factor for screening positive for CHR (OR = 0.96, 95%CI 0.92-0.99). Overall, the findings highlight the importance of examining potential psychosocial contributors to psychosis vulnerability across different sociocultural contexts to delineate risk and protective processes relevant to specific populations and better target preventive intervention efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tecelli Domínguez-Martínez
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Mental Global, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz"-UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Tamara Sheinbaum
- Dirección de Investigaciones Epidemiológicas y Psicosociales, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ana Fresán
- Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lourdes Nieto
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Mental Global, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz"-UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Steven R López
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rebeca Robles
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Mental Global, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz"-UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ma Del Carmen Lara
- Facultad de Medicina, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | | | - Neus Barrantes-Vidal
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Sant Pere Claver - Fundació Sanitària, Barcelona, Spain.,Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ricardo Saracco
- Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Mauricio Rosel
- Clínica de Esquizofrenia, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Incidence rate and distinctive characteristics of first episode psychosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicenter observational study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22036. [PMID: 36543820 PMCID: PMC9772195 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26297-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of people around the world. However, its impact on first-episode psychosis (FEP) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence rate (IR) and the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of patients who developed FEP during the nine-month period following the COVID-19 outbreak in Spain and to compare these data to the corresponding period in the previous year. We included all patients (n = 220) treated for the first time during these two time periods at three FEP programs in Spain. The IR was 0.42/100,000 person-years during the pandemic vs. 0.54/100,000 in the prior year (p = 0.057). Compared to prior year, women accounted for a significantly higher proportion of FEP patients (46.3% vs. 28%; p = 0.005) during the COVID-19 period. This association was significant on the logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, female: 2.12 [confidence interval 1.17-3.82]; p = 0.014). These data reveal a non-significant trend towards a lower incidence of FEP during the pandemic period. Female sex was associated with a greater risk of developing FEP during the pandemic period, perhaps due to differences between males and females in the susceptibility and expression of psychosis. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of stress-related disorders.
Collapse
|
19
|
Andrews CN, Rehak R, Woo M, Walker I, Ma C, Forbes N, Rittenbach K, Hathaway J, Wilsack L, Liu A, Nasser Y, Sharkey KA. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in North America: evaluation of health burden and treatment prevalence. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 56:1532-1542. [PMID: 36307209 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a poorly understood vomiting disorder associated with chronic cannabis use. AIMS To characterise patients experiencing CHS in North America and to obtain a population-based estimate of CHS treatment prevalence in Canada before and during the Covid-19 pandemic METHODS: Internet survey of 157 CHS sufferers in Canada and the United States. Administrative health databases for the province of Alberta (population 5 million) were accessed to measure emergency department (ED) visits for vomiting, with a concurrent diagnostic code for cannabis use. Three time periods of 1 year were assessed: prior to recreational cannabis legalisation (2017-2018), after recreational legalisation (2018-2019) and during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic (2020-2021). RESULTS Problematic cannabis use (defined as a CUDIT-R score ≥8) was universal among the survey cohort, and 59% and 68% screening for moderate or worse anxiety or depression, respectively. The overall treatment prevalence of CHS across all ages increased from 15 ED visits per 100,000 population (95% CI, 14-17) prior to legalisation, to 21 (95% CI, 20-23) after legalisation, to 32 (95% CI, 31-35) during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic (p < 0.001). Treatment prevalence among chronic cannabis users was as high as 6 per 1000 in the 16-24 age group. CONCLUSION Survey data suggest patients with CHS almost universally suffer from a cannabis use disorder, which has significant treatment implications. Treatment prevalence in the ED has increased substantially over a very short time period, with the highest rates seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher N Andrews
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Renata Rehak
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Matthew Woo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ian Walker
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christopher Ma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nauzer Forbes
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Katherine Rittenbach
- Provincial Addiction and Mental Health Portfolio™, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joshua Hathaway
- Alberta Health Services/CRISM Prairies, CRISM-AHS Advancement of Analytics in Substance Use, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lynn Wilsack
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andy Liu
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Centre, New York, New York City, USA
| | - Yasmin Nasser
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Keith A Sharkey
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wang Y, Duan Z, Romm KF, Ma Y, Douglas Evans W, Bennett B, Fuss C, Klinkhammer KE, Wysota CN, Berg CJ. Bidirectional associations between depressive symptoms and cigarette, e-cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol use: Cross-lagged panel analyses among young adults before and during COVID-19. Addict Behav 2022; 134:107422. [PMID: 35853404 PMCID: PMC9823144 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The literature regarding bidirectional relationships of depressive symptoms to cigarette and alcohol use is mixed, and limited regarding e-cigarette and cannabis use. Moreover, COVID-19 has significantly impacted mental health and substance use, especially among young adults. Thus, this is a critical period for focused research on these relationships among young adults. METHODS We analyzed longitudinal data (assessments in Fall 2018, 2019, and 2020) from 3,006 young adults (Mage = 24.56 [SD = 4.72], 54.8% female, 31.6% sexual minority, 71.6% White, 5.3% Black, 12.2% Asian, 11.4% Hispanic) from 6 US metropolitan statistical areas. Cross-lagged panel models were conducted to examine bidirectional associations between depressive symptoms and past 30-day use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cannabis, and alcohol (respectively), controlling for sociodemographics. RESULTS During the study period, depressive symptoms decreased before the pandemic but increased during, cigarette and e-cigarette use decreased in both periods, alcohol use showed no change before but increases during the pandemic, and cannabis use increased in both periods. Additionally, each outcome demonstrated greater stability before versus during COVID-19. Finally, greater antecedent depressive symptoms correlated with more days of subsequent cigarette (β = 0.03, SE = 0.01, p =.011) and e-cigarette use (β = 0.03, SE = 0.01, p =.021), but fewer days of alcohol use (β = -0.02, SE = 0.01, p =.035). W2 cannabis use and alcohol use, respectively, were related to W3 depressive symptoms (cannabis: β = 0.09, SE = 0.02, p <.001; alcohol: β = 0.06, SE = 0.02, p =.002). No other cross-lagged associations were significant. CONCLUSIONS Intervention efforts targeting depression and substance use should explicitly address the potential for onset and escalation of substance use and depressive symptoms, respectively, especially during societal stressors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Zongshuan Duan
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katelyn F Romm
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University
| | - W Douglas Evans
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Breesa Bennett
- Department of Epidemiology, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Caroline Fuss
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katharina E Klinkhammer
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Christina N Wysota
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Carla J Berg
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Marsden J, Brown J, Clark L, Cousijn J, Hall W, Hickman M, Holmes J, Humphreys K, Jackson SE, Peacock A, Tucker J. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on addictive disorders-an update. Addiction 2022; 117:2762-2766. [PMID: 36068188 DOI: 10.1111/add.16033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luke Clark
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Wayne Hall
- University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Keith Humphreys
- Veterans Affairs and Stanford University Medical Centers, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | - Amy Peacock
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Chong WWY, Acar ZI, West ML, Wong F. A Scoping Review on the Medical and Recreational Use of Cannabis During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2022; 7:591-602. [PMID: 34981958 PMCID: PMC9587770 DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Introduction: The shelter-in-place orders and social distancing regulations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted lifestyles, including the use of cannabis. The purpose of this scoping review is to summarize both the gray and academic literature on the use of cannabis during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: A total of 11 databases, including 2 medical databases, 7 social science databases, and 2 gray literature databases were searched resulting in 316 titles and abstracts of which 76 met inclusion criteria. Results: Nine themes emerged: (a) prevalence and trends of cannabis use during COVID[1]19; (b) demographics; (c) profile of mode of consumption; (d) context of using cannabis (i.e., solitary use vs. in groups); (e) factors contributing to use; (f) factors inhibiting use; (g) adverse clinical and psychiatric outcomes of cannabis use during the pandemic; (h) similarities between EVALI (E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury) and COVID-19 symptoms; (i) implications for policy and practice. Studies published until February 2, 2021 were included in this review. Discussion: Findings have highlighted that feelings of boredom, depression, and anxiety during the pandemic have contributed to an increase in the use of cannabis. Furthermore, accessibility to cannabis was noted to affect use during the pandemic. Adverse psychiatric and clinical outcomes were associated with the increased use of cannabis. Conclusion: Practitioners and policymakers are called to employ harm reduction strategies to respond to increasing cannabis use. There is a need for population-based studies and further examination of factors contributing to the increased use of cannabis during the pandemic and associated negative consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Wing-Yee Chong
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zeynep Ilgaz Acar
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Meghan Lee West
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Francis Wong
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Pavarin RM. Mortality risk for individuals with cannabis use disorders in relation to alcohol use disorders: Results of a follow-up study. Psychiatry Res 2022; 316:114741. [PMID: 35908347 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are few studies on mortality on individuals entering treatment for cannabis use disorders. OBJECTIVES To estimate mortality risk for individuals treated for cannabis use disorders comparing patients with concomitant alcohol use disorders to those with only cannabis use disorders. METHODS Follow-up study on 1136 residents in Northern Italy who turned to health services following problems caused by cannabis use disorders between 2009 and 2019. Individuals with concomitant use of opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, or injecting drugs were excluded. Crude mortality rates per 1000 Person Years (CMR), and standardized mortality ratios adjusted for age, sex and calendar year (SMR) were calculated. RESULTS Elevated CMRs (CMR 4.4, 3-6.4), higher among patients with concomitant alcohol use disorders (CMR 10.2, 6.6-15.6) compared to those with only cannabis use disorders (CMR 1.8, 0.9-3.6) were found. Regarding excess mortality with respect to the general population, SMRs were higher and statistically significant (SMR 5.4, 3.7-7.8), both among patients with concomitant alcohol use disorders (SMR 10.2, 6.6-15.6) and among those with only cannabis use disorders (SMR 2.3, 1.1-4.5). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study show that individuals with only cannabis use disorders have a lower mortality risk compared to those with both cannabis and alcohol use disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raimondo Maria Pavarin
- Epidemiological Monitoring Center on Addiction, Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addictions, Local Health Unit of Bologna, Italian Society of Substance Abuse SITD, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Botella-Juan L, Amezcua-Prieto C, Morales-Suarez-Varela MM, Mateos-Campos R, Ayán-Pérez C, Molina AJ, Ortiz-Moncada R, Redondo-Martín S, Alguacil J, Blázquez-Abellán G, Delgado-Rodríguez M, Alonso-Molero J, Fernández-Villa T. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Evolution of Prevalence and Patterns of Cannabis Use among First-Year University Students in Spain-UniHcos Project. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11577. [PMID: 36141846 PMCID: PMC9517240 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Among university students there has been evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic increased their psychological distress, exacerbated by social restrictions. The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and patterns of cannabis use among university students, in contrast to previous trends since 2012. Data from 10,522 first-year university students (73.3% female, Mage 19 (SD = 1.6)) from eleven Spanish universities collected between 2012 and May 2022 was analysed. Prevalences of cannabis use and their differences by sex were studied, as well as changes in patterns of use and its use for coping during the pandemic. It was found that during lockdown, all prevalence rates of cannabis use decreased in both sexes, showing no statistically significant differences and increasing again in the new normal period in both. Among regular cannabis users, 79.7% reported maintaining or increasing their cannabis use during the pandemic, and of these, half reported using cannabis to cope. Moreover, cannabis use in the usual household increased during the lockdown. These results show that although the overall prevalence of cannabis use was reduced during the lockdown, regular users tended to maintain or increase cannabis use. This could imply two different patterns of use among students, one social and occasional versus the other regular, providing new lines of research for prevention and the implementation of social policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Botella-Juan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Carmen Amezcua-Prieto
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - María M. Morales-Suarez-Varela
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Legal Medicine, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Ramona Mateos-Campos
- Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carlos Ayán-Pérez
- Well-Move Research Group, Department of Special Didactics, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Antonio José Molina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- The Research Group in Gene-Environment and Health Interactions (GIIGAS), Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rocío Ortiz-Moncada
- Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food and Nutrition Research Group, University of Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Susana Redondo-Martín
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
- Comisionado Regional para la Droga, Junta de Castilla y León, 47009 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Juan Alguacil
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Research on Natural Resources, Health, and Environment (RENSMA), University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain
| | - Gemma Blázquez-Abellán
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain
| | - Miguel Delgado-Rodríguez
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Jessica Alonso-Molero
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Cantabria-IDIVAL, 39008 Santander, Spain
| | - Tania Fernández-Villa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- The Research Group in Gene-Environment and Health Interactions (GIIGAS), Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Sultana N, Asaduzzaman M, Mubarak M, Hosen I, Kaggwa MM, Al-Mamun F, Mamun MA. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle patterns: Does gender matter? Front Public Health 2022; 10:920694. [PMID: 36159266 PMCID: PMC9490405 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.920694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted individuals to deviate from normal lifestyle behaviors. But, there is a paucity of studies conducted in Bangladesh assessing how lifestyle patterns (i.e., smoking, drug use, physical exercise) have changed after the pandemic, which was investigated in this study. Methods An online-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among a total of 756 Bangladeshi young adults between April 1 and 13, 2020. Lifestyle patterns data were collected based on two periods from the COVID-19 pandemic inception point in the country, (i) '1 year before', and (ii) '1 year after'. Basic descriptive statistics (i.e., frequency and percentages) and Chi-square tests were performed to examine the associations of the independent variables in relation to lifestyle patterns. Results A 0.2 and 4.7% reduction in smoking and physical exercise, respectively, was observed after the pandemic. But the prevalence of drug use was 1.5% before the COVID-19 pandemic, which rose to 1.9% during the pandemic; representing a 0.4% increment. The changes in lifestyle patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was statistically significant only for physical exercise. Of the gender, male participants were more prevalent in smoking, drug use, and performing physical exercise in both periods. Conclusion It is suggested to increase awareness concerning adverse effects of drug use and not performing physical exercise, where the gender-based focus is highly appreciated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naznin Sultana
- CHINTA Research Bangladesh, Savar, Bangladesh,Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Asaduzzaman
- Department of Public Health Nutrition, Primeasia University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mahfuza Mubarak
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Bangladesh
| | - Ismail Hosen
- CHINTA Research Bangladesh, Savar, Bangladesh,Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Bangladesh
| | - Mark Mohan Kaggwa
- African Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Firoj Al-Mamun
- CHINTA Research Bangladesh, Savar, Bangladesh,Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Bangladesh,Department of Public Health, University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh,*Correspondence: Firoj Al-Mamun
| | - Mohammed A. Mamun
- CHINTA Research Bangladesh, Savar, Bangladesh,Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Bangladesh,Department of Public Health, University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh,Mohammed A. Mamun
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ho SWC, WONG YL, Chung PH. A cross-sectional survey: Exploring future healthcare workers' intention to use cannabis through extended theory of planned behavior. Front Public Health 2022; 10:929016. [PMID: 36072368 PMCID: PMC9443428 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.929016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is the most extensively abused drug, leading to multiple health burdens such as traffic accidents and psychosis. There is a global wave of legalization of recreational and medical cannabis. This study aimed to understand future healthcare workers' intention to use cannabis through extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). An online cross-sectional survey on cannabis, including validated survey tools and questions on demographics, knowledge, and constructs of the TPB was designed, and distributed during virtual classes in late 2020. Responses were obtained from the Faculty of Medicine of a local university. Nine hundred ninety-six responses were collected, of which 629 were complete and analysed. Age was the only demographic variable associated with cannabis use intention (p = 0.029). Respondents with intention had better knowledge of cannabis. All TPB and additional constructs, including perceived behavioral control (COR = 3.44, 95% CI 2.72-4.35, p < 0.001), descriptive norm (COR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.81-2.77, p < 0.001), injunctive norm (COR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.42-0.61, p < 0.001), attitude (COR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.18-1.28, p < 0.001), knowledge (COR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.14), and perceived availability (COR = 2.75, 95% CI 2.22-3.40, p < 0.001) were individually associated with intention. In the final multiple logistic regression model adjusted for age, only attitude (AOR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.13-1.25, p < 0.001) and perceived availability (p = 0.004) showed statistically significant associations with intention. Descriptive norm (standardized coefficient = 0.570) had better explanatory power than the injunctive norm (standardized coefficient = -0.143) in the model. Perceived behavioral control was associated with intention among respondents with negative to neutral attitudes towards cannabis (AOR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.63-3.77, p < 0.001), but not among those with positive attitudes. All TPB constructs positively correlated with the intention to use cannabis. Changing the attitudes and perceived control on cannabis use may be useful in preventing cannabis use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sze Wing Cherelle Ho
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China,*Correspondence: Sze Wing Cherelle Ho
| | - Yuen Lung WONG
- Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pui Hong Chung
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China,School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Lee E, Moore SP, Trapl E, Fryer CS, Gunzler D, Sterling KL. Changes in Little Cigar and Cigarillo Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of a Nationally Representative Sample of Young Adult Users. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:8933. [PMID: 35897303 PMCID: PMC9331994 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19158933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We examined the smoking behaviors of U.S. young adults ages 18-36 regarding little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey data were collected from a nationally representative sample of young adults between October and November 2020. Respondents who reported using LCCs with tobacco (CAI) and/or with marijuana (CAB) within the past 6 months prior to the survey (n = 399) were included in the study. Logistic regression analyses assessed the association between their perceived risk of having COVID when smoking LCCs and pandemic-related behavioral changes in CAI and CAB use (e.g., worrying, quit attempts, smoking more, smoking less). Findings showed that users with a higher perceived risk of getting COVID-19 when smoking LCCs were more likely to endorse trying to quit CAI and CAB during the pandemic. Compared to the non-Hispanic White population, the non-Hispanic Black population were less likely to endorse smoking less CAI and trying to quit CAB during the pandemic. Dual users of CAI and CAB and females were more likely to endorse smoking more CAB compared to CAB-only users and males, respectively. Tailored cessation strategies are needed for dual users, non-Hispanic Black young adults, and young women. Raising awareness about the risks of LCC use can be an effective strategy for LCC smoking cessation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Lee
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Dallas Regional Campus, Dallas, TX 75207, USA;
| | - Stephanie Pike Moore
- Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (S.P.M.); (E.T.); (D.G.)
| | - Erika Trapl
- Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (S.P.M.); (E.T.); (D.G.)
| | - Craig S. Fryer
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Douglas Gunzler
- Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (S.P.M.); (E.T.); (D.G.)
| | - Kymberle L. Sterling
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Dallas Regional Campus, Dallas, TX 75207, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Skypala IJ, Jeimy S, Brucker H, Nayak AP, Decuyper II, Bernstein JA, Connors L, Kanani A, Klimek L, Lo SCR, Murphy KR, Nanda A, Poole JA, Walusiak-Skorupa J, Sussman G, Zeiger JS, Goodman RE, Ellis AK, Silvers WS, Ebo DG. Cannabis-related allergies: An international overview and consensus recommendations. Allergy 2022; 77:2038-2052. [PMID: 35102560 PMCID: PMC9871863 DOI: 10.1111/all.15237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most widely used recreational drug in the world. Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica have been selectively bred to develop their psychoactive properties. The increasing use in many countries has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cannabis can provoke both type 1 and type 4 allergic reactions. Officially recognized allergens include a pathogenesis-related class 10 allergen, profilin, and a nonspecific lipid transfer protein. Other allergens may also be relevant, and recognition of allergens may vary between countries and continents. Cannabis also has the potential to provoke allergic cross-reactions to plant foods. Since cannabis is an illegal substance in many countries, research has been hampered, leading to challenges in diagnosis since no commercial extracts are available for testing. Even in countries such as Canada, where cannabis is legalized, diagnosis may rely solely on the purchase of cannabis for prick-to-prick skin tests. Management consists of avoidance, with legal issues hindering the development of other treatments such as immunotherapy. Education of healthcare professionals is similarly lacking. This review aimed to summarize the current status of cannabis allergy and proposes recommendations for the future management of this global issue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel J. Skypala
- Department of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals, and Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Samira Jeimy
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Ajay P. Nayak
- Center for Translational Medicine and Division of Pulmonary Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ine I. Decuyper
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jonathan A. Bernstein
- Division of Immunology/Allergy Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Bernstein Allergy Group; Bernstein Clinical Research Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Lori Connors
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Amin Kanani
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ludger Klimek
- Center for Rhinology and Allergy, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Shun Chi Ryan Lo
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kevin R. Murphy
- Division of Allergy, Asthma and Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Anil Nanda
- Asthma and Allergy Center, Lewisville and Flower Mound, Dallas, Texas, USA,Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jill. A. Poole
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Gordon Sussman
- Department of Medicine and Division of Clinical Immunology & Allergy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Richard E. Goodman
- Food Allergy Research and Resource Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Anne K. Ellis
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - William S. Silvers
- Division of Allergy Clinical Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Didier G. Ebo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Immunology, Allergology, Rheumatology and the Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium,Department of Immunology, Allergology, Rheumatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium,Department of Immunology and Allergology, AZ Jan Palfijn Gent, Ghent, Belgium
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Quintas J, Guerreiro A, de Carvalho MJL, Duarte V, Pedro AR, Gama AF, Keygnaert I, Dias S. The Implication of the First Wave of COVID-19 on Mental Health: Results from a Portuguese Sample. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:6489. [PMID: 35682079 PMCID: PMC9180313 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The social conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic had a great potential to affect the mental health of individuals. Meta-analyses indicate a rise in these problems in these periods among general populations, patients and health professionals, even with substantial heterogeneous results. This paper examines mental health impacts specifically during the first wave of COVID-19. An online survey was conducted with a Portuguese convenience sample (N = 1.062) comprising questions about substance use, perceived stress, post-traumatic stress disorder and self-damage behaviors. The results concerning substance use show an extensive use of medication to sleep or calm down, especially among women and older respondents, a small percentage of alcohol consumers with a high pattern of use and less frequent cannabis consumption, even with a quarter of users who began only in the COVID-19 period. The rates of perceived stress and PTSD were higher compared with international prevalence estimations during the pandemic conditions. Both correlated measures were worse for women and young people. Another problematic issue was the rate of suicidal ideation, with a relevant proportion of starters during this period. These data reinforce the need to promote access to mental health services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Quintas
- CJS—Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Crime, Justice and Security, School of Criminology, Faculty of Law, University of Porto, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Ana Guerreiro
- CJS—Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Crime, Justice and Security, School of Criminology, Faculty of Law, University of Porto, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Maia (UMAIA), 4475-690 Maia, Portugal;
| | - Maria João Leote de Carvalho
- NOVA School of Social Sciences and Humanities (NOVA FCSH), 1069-061 Lisbon, Portugal;
- CICS.NOVA—Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vera Duarte
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Maia (UMAIA), 4475-690 Maia, Portugal;
- CICS.NOVA—Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Pedro
- Public Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.R.P.); (A.F.G.); (S.D.)
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Filipa Gama
- Public Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.R.P.); (A.F.G.); (S.D.)
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês Keygnaert
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- WHO Collaborating Centre: International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH), Centre for Social Studies on Migration and Refugees (CESSMIR), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sónia Dias
- Public Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.R.P.); (A.F.G.); (S.D.)
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Assaf RD, Gorbach PM, Cooper ZD. Changes in medical and non-medical cannabis use among United States adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2022; 48:321-327. [PMID: 35130464 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2021.2007257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Background: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, cannabis dispensaries in the United States (US) reported increased sales.Objectives: This study assessed changes in cannabis use before to during the pandemic; it was hypothesized that cannabis use increased during the pandemic.Methods: A US-based survey of adults assessed patterns of use before and during the pandemic. Participants recruited via social media from 8/2020 to 9/2020 self-reported medical and non-medical cannabis use. Use was categorized as ≤ monthly, weekly, and daily/almost daily; adjusted logistic regressions determined associations between cannabis use before the pandemic with change in frequency during the pandemic.Results: Of 1,886 respondents (63% male),1,113 reported non-medical and 603 medical use of cannabis. Those reporting ≤monthly non-medical use before the pandemic had higher odds of increasing use during the pandemic than those using weekly before the pandemic (AOR 3.2 [95% CI 2.2-4.5]). Those reporting ≤ monthly and daily medical cannabis use before the pandemic had higher odds of increasing use during the pandemic than those using weekly before the pandemic (AOR 2.3 [95% 1.3, 3.9]; AOR 2.4 [95% CI 1.2, 5.1] respectively).Conclusions: The most notable increases in cannabis use during the pandemic were among those who reported using cannabis least frequently before the pandemic (two to three times odds of increased use among ≤ monthly use compared to weekly). These findings have important implications for potential health consequences related to increased cannabis use both during and after the pandemic, even in populations thought to be protected by minimal use prior to the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D Assaf
- UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pamina M Gorbach
- UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ziva D Cooper
- UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Ling PM, Crosbie E, Holmes LM, Hoang C, Hoeper S. Cannabis dispensary online marketing practices in response to COVID-19 lockdowns. Subst Abuse 2022; 43:1116-1119. [DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2022.2060434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela M. Ling
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education and Division of General Internal Medicine, Dept of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eric Crosbie
- School of Public Health, Ozmen Institute for Global Studies, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Louisa M. Holmes
- Department of Geography and Social Science Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Christine Hoang
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education and Division of General Internal Medicine, Dept of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Samantha Hoeper
- School of Public Health, Ozmen Institute for Global Studies, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sznitman SR, Lewis N. Israeli news media coverage of COVID-19 and use of cannabis and tobacco: A case study of inconsistent risk communication. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 103:103648. [PMID: 35325638 PMCID: PMC8898739 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is continued scientific debate regarding the link between risk of COVID-19 infection and increased disease severity and tobacco and cannabis use. The way this topic is presented in news media coverage may influence public attitudes and behavior and is thus an important topic of investigation. This study examines (1) the extent to which Israeli news media reported a positive (i.e., protective/therapeutic), negative (i.e., harmful), or inconclusive association between three types of substance use (tobacco, medical cannabis, recreational cannabis) and risk of COVID-19 infection and/or increased disease severity, and (2) the extent that this media coverage refers to scientific research. METHODS A quantitative content analysis of news articles related to tobacco and cannabis use and COVID-19 (N = 113) from eleven of the highest circulation newspapers in Israel. RESULTS News items were significantly more likely to mention increased COVID-19 risk for tobacco use, compared to cannabis use. All medical cannabis news items reported that medical cannabis use was associated with reduced COVID-19 risk. In contrast, news items about recreational cannabis use were more likely to describe a balanced or inconclusive risk for COVID-19, or increased risk. The majority of articles referred to scientific research. CONCLUSION While Israeli news media reported a relatively consistent message about the increased risk of COVID-19 in relation to tobacco use, messages about cannabis use were less consistent in communicating risk information. Research should examine effects of media coverage of tobacco and cannabis use and COVID-19 on public perceptions and behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharon R Sznitman
- School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Eshkol Tower room 705 Mt, Carmel, 3190501, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Nehama Lewis
- Communication Department, University of Haifa, Rabin Complex 8032 Mt, Carmel, 3190501, Haifa, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Ben Salah A, DeAngelis BN, Morales D, Bongard S, Leufen L, Johnson R, Olmos M, Alam S, Kuzmina S, Levenstein S, Li B, Renati S, al'Absi M. A multinational study of psychosocial stressors and symptoms associated with increased substance use during the early wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The role of polysubstance use. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2022.2054162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Arwa Ben Salah
- Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Briana N DeAngelis
- Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth & Minneapolis, USA
| | - Daniela Morales
- Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth & Minneapolis, USA
| | - Stephan Bongard
- Department of Psychology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Luke Leufen
- Faculty of Communication and Environment, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Kamp-Lintfort, Germany
| | - Ryan Johnson
- Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth & Minneapolis, USA
| | - Marina Olmos
- Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Murcia, Spain
| | - Shah Alam
- Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Svetlana Kuzmina
- Department of Psychiatry, Kazan State Medical University, Kazan, Russia
| | | | - Bingshuo Li
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
| | - Solomon Renati
- Department of Psychology, Veer Wajekar Arts, Science & Commerce College, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Mustafa al'Absi
- Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth & Minneapolis, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Najafizada M, Rahman A, Donnan J, Dong Z, Bishop L. Analyzing sentiments and themes on cannabis in Canada using 2018 to 2020 Twitter data. J Cannabis Res 2022; 4:22. [PMID: 35418169 PMCID: PMC9006070 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-022-00132-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Canadian Cannabis Act came into effect on October 17, 2018, which allowed Canadian adults to consume cannabis for non-medical purposes (Government of Canada, Cannabis regulations (SOR/2018-144). Cannabis Act, (2018a); Parliament of Canada, C-45: an Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts, 2018). With this major policy change, it is unknown how the attitude of the public changed and how information on cannabis changed. Social media platforms, including Twitter, are significant venues for studying emerging patterns in social issues such as cannabis legalization. This study aimed to examine sentiments, themes and contents of cannabis-related tweets by suppliers (both licensed and unlicensed) and general tweets in Canada. To our knowledge, this is the first analysis that mixes sentiment analysis and thematic analysis of Canadians’ cannabis-related Twitter data. Method A sample of Canadian cannabis-related tweets was collected from January 2018 to August 2020 through the Twitter Application Programming Interface (API). Using a standard access token and the Twitter Standard Search API, tweets were extracted based on Twitter handles to capture the content of both licensed and unlicensed cannabis retailers in Canada, as well as relevant cannabis-related keywords to capture public content. We conducted sentiment and positive polarity analyses, and content analysis to identify attitudes and themes around cannabis use in Canada. Results This study gathered and analyzed a total of 44,970 tweets in the sentiment analysis and a total of 1035 tweets in the thematic analysis. Descriptive analysis showed that monthly tweets peaked prior to legalization in October 2018 and again during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in February and March 2020. The data showed an overall positive sentiment polarity with a high of + 0.24 in April 2019 and a low of + 0.14 in March 2020. Thematic analysis revealed the themes: (i) education/information, (ii) uses of cannabis, (iii) cannabis products including packing, quality, price, types, and sources, (iv) cannabis policies including regulations and public safety, (v) access, (vi) social issues include gender and stigma, and (vii) COVID-19 impact. Conclusion This study combined the power of big data collection and analysis with manual coding and analysis methods to extract rich content from large data using social media communications on issues related to cannabis in Canada. The findings of this study may inform policies on advertising cannabis products and highlighted some patterns related to education, access, and safety that deserve further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maisam Najafizada
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, 300 Prince Phillip Drive, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3 V6, Canada.
| | - Arifur Rahman
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, 300 Prince Phillip Drive, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3 V6, Canada
| | - Jennifer Donnan
- School of Pharmacy, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Zhihao Dong
- Department of Computer Science, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Lisa Bishop
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, 300 Prince Phillip Drive, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3 V6, Canada.,School of Pharmacy, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Garus-Pakowska A, Kolmaga A, Gaszyńska E, Ulrichs M. The Scale of Intoxications with New Psychoactive Substances over the Period 2014-2020-Characteristics of the Trends and Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Example of Łódź Province, Poland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:4427. [PMID: 35457295 PMCID: PMC9031094 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Legal highs are new psychoactive substances (NPSs) which pose a high risk for human health, and the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has changed peoples’ behaviours, including the demand for NPS. The aim of the study was to assess both the frequency of intoxication with NPS in Łódź province over the period 2014−2020, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on developing this trend. An analysis was carried out of data on intoxications in Łódź province in the years 2014−2020 reported by hospitals. The medical interventions rate (MI) per 100,000 people in the population was calculated. The frequency of intoxications was compared taking sociodemographic variables into account, and the effect of seasonal influence on intoxications was calculated using the Holt−Winter multiplicative seasonal method. In the period considered, there were 7175 acute NPS poisonings in the Łódź province and 25,495 in Poland. The averaged MI rate between 2014−2020 was 9.45 for Poland and 38.53 for the Łódź province, and the lowest value was found during the COVID pandemic in the year 2020 (respectively, 2.1 vs. 16.94). NPS users were mainly young men of 19−24 years old from a big city. Most cases were registered at weekends and in summer months. The majority of intoxications were caused by unidentified psychoactive substances of legal highs (chi2 = 513.98, p < 0.05). The actual number of NPS-related poisonings in the Łódź province in 2020 was lower than the value extrapolated from trend analysis of data between 2014−2019. NPS use in Poland decreased during the pandemic. It should be noted that a decrease in the number of drug-related incidents can have more than one reason, e.g., preventive programs, increased awareness, or changes in the law. This paper advocates that, in addition to monitoring NPS-related intoxications, there is further investigation into the social, cultural, and behavioural determinants of NPS to facilitate targeted prevention programmes and the development of new medical treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Garus-Pakowska
- Department of Nutrition and Epidemiology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland; (A.K.); (E.G.)
| | - Agnieszka Kolmaga
- Department of Nutrition and Epidemiology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland; (A.K.); (E.G.)
| | - Ewelina Gaszyńska
- Department of Nutrition and Epidemiology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland; (A.K.); (E.G.)
| | - Magdalena Ulrichs
- Department of Econometrics, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, 90-255 Lodz, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kendzor DE, Ehlke SJ, Kharazi Boozary L, Smith MA, Cohn AM. Characteristics of adults with a medical cannabis license, reasons for use, and perceptions of benefit following medical cannabis legalization in Oklahoma. Prev Med Rep 2022; 27:101777. [PMID: 35392181 PMCID: PMC8980491 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the risks and benefits associated with medical cannabis legalization. The current study was an online panel survey of adult Oklahomans recruited between September and October 2020 (N = 1898). Respondents with and without a medical cannabis license were compared on sociodemographic, substance use and health characteristics, and sub-analyses focused on the characteristics of licensed and unlicensed past 30-day cannabis users. Among all participants, 19.34% (n = 367) reported that they had a medical cannabis license, and 35.73% (n = 676) reported past 30-day cannabis use. Licensees were more likely to be younger (i.e., 18-35 years of age; p = 0.001), identify as a sexual minority (p < 0.001), and report past 30-day cannabis, cigarette, alcohol, and prescription opiate use (all p's ≤ 0.003). Licensed participants most commonly reported medically-recommended cannabis use for anxiety (42.51%), depression (33.24%), sleep problems (26.98%), chronic pain (24.25%), and arthritis (12.81%). The likelihood of medically-recommended cannabis use for anxiety, depression, and chronic pain differed by age group (all p's ≤ 0.028). Licensees were most likely to perceive that cannabis delivered "very much/extreme" relief from anxiety (78.57%), sleep problems (76.30%), nausea/vomiting (70.00%), and depression (67.05%). Compared to licensed past 30-day cannabis users (n = 308), unlicensed users (n = 368) were more likely to be non-White, to have ≤ high school education, to report an annual household income <$30,000, and to report current smoking (all p's ≤ 0.027). Findings provide initial information about the personal characteristics associated with having a medical cannabis license in Oklahoma, the reasons for medical cannabis use, and the perceived medical benefits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darla E. Kendzor
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 900 N.E. 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA,TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA,Corresponding author at: TSET Health Promotion Research Center, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
| | - Sarah J. Ehlke
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Laili Kharazi Boozary
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA,Department of Psychology, Cellular and Behavioral Neurobiology, The University of Oklahoma, 455 W. Lindsey Street, Dale Hall Tower, Room 705, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Michael A. Smith
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA,Hudson College of Public Health, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 801 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Amy M. Cohn
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 800 Stanton L. Young Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Mezaache S, Donadille C, Martin V, Le Brun Gadelius M, Appel L, Spire B, Briand Madrid L, Bastien M, Roux P. Changes in cannabis use and associated correlates during France's first COVID-19 lockdown in daily cannabis users: results from a large community-based online survey. Harm Reduct J 2022; 19:26. [PMID: 35292040 PMCID: PMC8922077 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00611-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lockdown measures during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in France led to serious public health concerns over people who use illicit drugs, especially in terms of mental health. We assessed changes in cannabis use during the first lockdown in France among daily cannabis users and associated correlates. METHODS CANNAVID is a French, national, cross-sectional web-based survey, conducted from 17 April to 11 May 2020. Daily cannabis users aged ≥ 18 years and living in France were invited to participate through advertisements. Respondents completed an ad hoc questionnaire on a dedicated online platform. We analyzed changes in cannabis use during the first lockdown (i.e., stopped, decreased, unchanged, or increased) and performed a multinomial logistic regression analysis to evaluate correlates of these changes. RESULTS Of the 4019 participants, 74.0% were men. Median age was 27 years (interquartile range: 22-37). With regard to cannabis use, 293 (7.3%) persons stopped, 1153 (28.7%) decreased, 1146 (28.5%) did not change, and 1427 (35.5%) increased their use during the lockdown. A multinomial logistic regression model revealed several sociodemographic, behavioral and health-related factors associated with changes in cannabis use. Compared with participants with an unchanged level of cannabis use during the lockdown, those who increased and those who stopped cannabis use were more likely to have increased tobacco and alcohol use and to have experienced depression and sleep disorders intensification. Those who stopped cannabis use were also more likely to have increased benzodiazepine use and to have experienced pain increase during lockdown. CONCLUSIONS France's first COVID-19-related lockdown had a differential impact on daily cannabis users' consumption patterns. Most study respondents reported changes to their cannabis consumption pattern. Those who reported a stable cannabis use were more likely to report fewer negative changes. Specific interventions are needed for this population, as well as research to assess the long-term impacts of these changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salim Mezaache
- Sciences économiques & sociales de la santé & traitement de l'information médicale, Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Marseille, France
| | - Cécile Donadille
- Sciences économiques & sociales de la santé & traitement de l'information médicale, Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | - Bruno Spire
- Sciences économiques & sociales de la santé & traitement de l'information médicale, Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Marseille, France
| | - Laelia Briand Madrid
- Sciences économiques & sociales de la santé & traitement de l'information médicale, Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Marseille, France
| | - Martin Bastien
- Sciences économiques & sociales de la santé & traitement de l'information médicale, Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Marseille, France
| | - Perrine Roux
- Sciences économiques & sociales de la santé & traitement de l'information médicale, Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Marseille, France. .,Faculté de médecine, INSERM U1252 SESSTIM, 27 bd Jean Moulin, Marseille, France.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Piersanti V, Consalvo F, Marinelli E. Substance use disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: looking for new innovative approaches. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2022; 93:e2022081. [PMID: 35315387 PMCID: PMC8972859 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v93i1.12612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The destructive impact of the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on those struggling with substance use disorders (SUD) stems from the daunting challenges which SUD patients experience in terms of coping with their condition and receiving care in a timely fashion. METHODS Patients struggling with addiction are at particularly high risk, due to the underlying vulnerabilities in their conditions and the stigmatization they often suffer. New Psychoactive Substances stand out as a critical area of concern. The authors have conducted a broad-ranging search to assess the impact of SUDs, along with their related mental, physical, and behavioral symptoms, against the backdrop of the COVID-19, taking into account how drug trafficking and consumption trends have evolved as the emergency draws out, and the cyberspace comes to play an ever-bigger role. RESULTS Given that roughly 1.5%-5% of the global burden of disease can be ascribed to alcohol abuse and substance addiction, the role of pandemic-related potential contributing factors in the exacerbation and relapse of SUDs and behavioral addiction cannot be discounted and needs targeted measures tailored to the special needs of SUD patients. Escalating environmental stressors stemming from abnormal circumstances can undermine recovery efforts and threaten the very survival of countless SUD patients, increasing the likelihood of relapsing for those in recovery. CONCLUSIONS Policymakers and legislators have not yet put in place targeted measures and adjustments in the health care delivery mechanisms in order to countervail the pandemic impact on SUD sufferers, and the ever-evolving patterns of use and trafficking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Piersanti
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Medicolegal and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Consalvo
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Medicolegal and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrico Marinelli
- a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:104:"Department of Anatomical, Histological, Medicolegal and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome";}.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Detection of Eight Cannabinoids and One Tracer in Wastewater and River Water by SPE-UPLC–ESI-MS/MS. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14040588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The consumption of illicit drugs represents a global social and economic problem. Using suitable analytical methods, monitoring, and detection of different illegal drugs residues and their metabolites in wastewater samples can help combat this problem. Our article defines a method to develop, validate, and practically applicate a rapid and robust analytical process for the evaluation of six naturally occurring cannabinoids (CBG, CBD, CBDV, CBN, THC, THCV), two cannabinoids in acidic form (CBDA, THCA-A), and the major cannabis-related human metabolite (THC-COOH). After SPE offline enrichment, we used a UPLC–ESI-MS/MS system, which permitted the determination of several by-products. Studied matrices were samples of different origins: (i) effluent water from a wastewater treatment plant in the Porto urban area; (ii) environmental water from Febros River, the last left-bank tributary of the Douro River. The multi-residue approach was substantiated and successfully employed to analyze the water samples collected in the above locations. The rapid and precise quantification of nine different cannabinoids in different water samples occurred within nine minutes at the ng L−1 level. The appearance of dozens of ng L−1 of some cannabis secondary metabolites, such as CBD, CBDA, CBN, THCA-A, indicates this plant species’ widespread usage among the general population in the considered area.
Collapse
|
40
|
Brenneke SG, Nordeck CD, Riehm KE, Schmid I, Tormohlen KN, Smail EJ, Johnson RM, Kalb LG, Stuart EA, Thrul J. Trends in cannabis use among U.S. adults amid the COVID-19 pandemic. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 100:103517. [PMID: 34894469 PMCID: PMC8653409 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on mental health and alcohol use in the US, however there is little research on its impacts on cannabis use. Considering the role of cannabis as a coping strategy or self-medicating behavior, there is a need to understand how individuals who use cannabis have adapted their use amid the pandemic. Therefore, this study examined changes in self-reported cannabis use among US adults in the context of COVID-19 pandemic by (1) describing trends of use during the first 8 months of the pandemic among adults who used cannabis in this period; and (2) characterizing trends of use within sociodemographic subgroups and by state cannabis policy status. METHODS The sample consisted of 1,761 US adults who used cannabis at least once during the 8-month study period from the nationally representative Understanding America Study. Linear mixed-effect models were used to model changes in the number of days of past-week cannabis use across 16 waves from March 10, 2020, to November 11, 2020. RESULTS Compared to early March, the number of days cannabis was used per week was significantly higher at the start of April (β=0.11, 95% CI=0.03, 0.18) and May (β=0.21,95% CI=0.05, 0.36). In subsequent months (June - November), the number of days of cannabis use attenuated to levels comparable to March. Trends of cannabis use across the study period generally did not differ across sociodemographic characteristics and state cannabis policy status. CONCLUSION Though increases in use were marginal among many groups, the evolving pandemic and the growing concern for the mental health of segments of the U.S. population warrant close monitoring of coping behaviors, including substance use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Savannah G Brenneke
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Courtney D Nordeck
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kira E Riehm
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ian Schmid
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kayla N Tormohlen
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Emily J Smail
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Renee M Johnson
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Luther G Kalb
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 1750 E Fairmount Ave, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Stuart
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Johannes Thrul
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA; Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Mielau J, Reiche S, Moon DU, Groß E, Gutwinski S, Betzler F, Romanello A, Masah DJ, Scicchitano M, Marek R, Brandt L, Evens R, Mick IM, Majić T, Montag C. Cannabis use during the early COVID-19 pandemic: Use patterns, predictors, and subjective experiences. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1037451. [PMID: 36704748 PMCID: PMC9872100 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1037451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Even in the early stages, global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic lead to serious dislocations of social life, secondary adjustment reactions to external restrictions and individual concerns. Coping mechanisms may also include dysfunctional strategies like an increase of drug use. Considering the wide-spread use of cannabis, the aim of this study was to elucidate the interplay of social restrictions, psychopathology, concerns related to the pandemic in addition to the users' experiences, motivations and consumption quantities during the early COVID-19 pandemic. It was presumed that cannabis intake would increase during the early phase of the crisis and that consumption quantities would be related to corona-related restrictions, concerns as well as subjective substance effects and psychopathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS As part of an international, cross-sectional, internet-based survey (N = 5,049) available in five languages, consumption quantities and patterns of cannabis use in the early phase of the pandemic from April to August 2020 were examined. Participants retrospectively rated restrictions and concerns related to the pandemic, motives of cannabis use prior to and during 1 month the pandemic, and subjective consumption effects. RESULTS Cannabis use behavior showed no significant differences when consumption quantities prior and during 1 month after the COVID-19 outbreak were compared. Higher quantities of cannabis intake prior and during 1 month of the pandemic as well as more corona-related concern were associated with an increased perception of positive effects of cannabis during the pandemic. Predictors of its use during 1 month of pandemic were higher pre-pandemic consumption quantity, older age, quarantinization, a lesser degree of being affected by negative effects of the pandemic and a stronger subjective experience of corona-related positive effects of cannabis. Comparisons of the motives for cannabis intake in the pre-pandemic versus the pandemic period showed that all rationales for consumption were reported less frequently, except boredom. CONCLUSION Frequencies of cannabis intake remained relatively stable in the early pandemic phase. Risk factors for increased use seem related to habitual consumption patterns that become more prominent under quarantinization. The use of cannabis as a dysfunctional coping strategy might not be amenable via self-report and should therefore receive special attention in clinical contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Mielau
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon Reiche
- Research Group Psychotropic Substances, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Psychiatric University Clinic at Hospital St. Hedwig, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daa Un Moon
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisa Groß
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Gutwinski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Research Group Psychotropic Substances, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Psychiatric University Clinic at Hospital St. Hedwig, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Betzler
- Research Group Psychotropic Substances, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Psychiatric University Clinic at Hospital St. Hedwig, Berlin, Germany
| | - Amy Romanello
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Research Group Psychotropic Substances, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Psychiatric University Clinic at Hospital St. Hedwig, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dario Jalilzadeh Masah
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matteo Scicchitano
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roman Marek
- Research Group Psychotropic Substances, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Psychiatric University Clinic at Hospital St. Hedwig, Berlin, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Research Group "The Future of Medicine: Good Health for All," Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Berlin, Germany.,German Sepsis Foundation, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lasse Brandt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ricarda Evens
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Research Group Psychotropic Substances, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Psychiatric University Clinic at Hospital St. Hedwig, Berlin, Germany
| | - Inge Maria Mick
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Research Group Psychotropic Substances, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Psychiatric University Clinic at Hospital St. Hedwig, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tomislav Majić
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Research Group Psychotropic Substances, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Psychiatric University Clinic at Hospital St. Hedwig, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christiane Montag
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Yousufzai SJ, Cole AG, Nonoyama M, Barakat C. Changes in Cannabis Consumption Among Emerging Adults in Relation to Policy and Public Health Developments. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 57:730-741. [PMID: 35193461 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2034873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Background: Rates of cannabis use appear to be highest among emerging adults (EA). Evidence suggests that cannabis smoking, as well as alternate methods of cannabis use (e.g., vaping, edibles) have become a prevalent mode of consumption among this population. Substance use or misuse peaks during emerging adulthood and may be influenced by extreme economic, social and community developments, such as policy changes, public health concerns, and significant global events such as pandemics. For instance, it is highly likely that cannabis consumption trends among at-risk populations were influenced by the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada, the declaration of the "e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury" or "EVALI" outbreak, and the "COVID-19" pandemic. ObjectivesWe aimed to examine self-reported changes in frequency of cannabis use among EA in Canada (N = 312): pre-legalization, post-legalization; pre-EVALI, post-EVALI; pre-COVID-19, since-COVID-19. ResultsThere was a gradual increase in average frequency of smoking and vaping cannabis across the six different time intervals from the pre-legalization period (2018) to the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020). Males reported higher frequencies of cannabis smoking and vaping compared to females. ConclusionsDespite health concerns and expectations that EVALI and COVID-19 events would lead to decreased consumption, our results suggest an average increase in smoking and vaping cannabis, although the most notable increase was after legalization. There are important sex differences in behavioral factors of cannabis use in EA, though it appears that the "gender-gap" in cannabis consumption is closing. These findings may facilitate the development of intervention programs for policy measures to address cannabis-attributable outcomes in the face of contextual factors that promote use, such as public emergencies or changes in policy landscapes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam G Cole
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, Canada
| | - Mika Nonoyama
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, Canada
| | - Caroline Barakat
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Romm KF, Patterson B, Arem H, Price OA, Wang Y, Berg CJ. Cross-Sectional Retrospective Assessments versus Longitudinal Prospective Assessments of Substance Use Change among Young Adults during COVID-19: Magnitude and Correlates of Discordant Findings. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 57:484-489. [PMID: 34889710 PMCID: PMC9099360 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2021.2012696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Significance: Findings regarding changes in substance use since COVID-19 have been mixed, potentially due to differences in methods used to assess change. Thus, we compared changes in substance use per retrospective self-report at one time-point (March-May 2020) versus prospective, longitudinal self-report across 2 time-points (Sept-Dec 2019; March-May 2020), and identified predictors of discordance. Methods: We analyzed data from a longitudinal study of 1,082 young adults from 6 metropolitan areas. Across cigarettes, e-cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol, participants were categorized as Increasers (increased based on both methods), Decreasers/Stable (decreased/same per both methods), Over-reporters (decreased/same per longitudinal data/increased via retrospective report), or Under-reporters (increased per longitudinal data/decreased/same via retrospective report). We identified predictors (e.g., sociodemographics, pre-pandemic substance use levels) of Under-reporting. Results: In this sample (Mage=24.77; 45.7% male, 32.1% sexual minority, 4.0% Black, 12.4% Asian, 12.6% Hispanic), longitudinal data indicated that the proportions of cigarette, e-cigarette, marijuana, and alcohol users who increased their use were 43.3%, 41.7%, 52.6%, and 55.6%, respectively. Examining concordance/discordance groups, Under-reporters accounted for between 17.7% (alcohol) and 26.8% (e-cigarette) of users; over-reporters comprised among the smallest proportions of each group (17.4% for alcohol to 22.2% for marijuana). Multivariable regression indicated that predictors of Under-reporting were less pre-pandemic use across substances; being older for e-cigarettes; and being older, male, and Asian for alcohol. Conclusions: Findings highlight methodological variability as a potential reason for mixed findings regarding pandemic-related substance use change and underscore the need for rigorously designed research to accurately assess the population impact of COVID-19 and other historical events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn F Romm
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.,George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Brooke Patterson
- Department of Global Health, Design, Monitoring & Evaluation Program, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Hannah Arem
- Healthcare Delivery Research, Medstar Health Research Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Olga Acosta Price
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Carla J Berg
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.,George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Nin MS, Heidrich N, Almeida FB, Izolan LR, Constant HMRM, Freese L, Gomez R, Barros HMT. Social distancing and changes in drug use: Results from a cross-sectional study during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:999372. [PMID: 36440408 PMCID: PMC9682187 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.999372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outbreak of coronavirus disease 19 has led to measures of social distancing and quarantine worldwide. This stressful period may lead to psychological problems, including changes in substance use. In addition, sociodemographic factors are linked to changed levels of drug use and abuse observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which are also associated with increased anxiety, depression, and other disorders. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate (i) changes in drug use during the COVID-19 pandemic associated with social distancing, and (ii) to verify factors associated with those changes. METHODS A web-based cross-sectional observational survey was completed by a self-selected adult general population in Brazil (N = 2,435) during September/October 2020 (first wave) before and throughout the pandemic. Key outcomes: social distancing, self-reported drug use (ASSIST), and emotional states (DASS-21). RESULTS High social distancing was associated with fewer chances (prevalence ratio) of increased drug use for alcohol (0.71, CI95%: 0.64-0.80), tobacco (0.72; CI95%: 0.60-0.87), cannabis (0.65; CI95%: 0.55-0.78), and others. Low social distancing presented a higher DASS-21 score for anxiety (P = 0.017). Concerning covariates analysis by a general linear model, men (alcohol: 1. 71; cannabis: 3.86), younger age (alcohol: 0.97), less education (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and cocaine/crack comparing several lower schooling categories vs. higher education), lower income (alcohol: 0.42; tobacco: 0.47; and cannabis: 0.36), and higher depression DASS-21 score (alcohol: 1.05; tobacco: 1.08; cannabis: 1.07; and cocaine/crack: 1.07) were associated with higher use prevalence of several drugs. CONCLUSIONS Individuals reporting low social distancing increased the use of most drugs during the pandemic, while high social distancing significantly decreased drug use. Anxiety and depressive states and several sociodemographic factors (men; lower income; less education) were associated with higher drug use patterns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maurício Schüler Nin
- Institute of Basic Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Nubia Heidrich
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Felipe B Almeida
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lucas R Izolan
- Graduate Program in Neurosciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Hilda M R M Constant
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luana Freese
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rosane Gomez
- Graduate Program in Neurosciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Helena M T Barros
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacosciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Carlyle M, Leung J, Walter ZC, Juckel J, Salom C, Quinn CA, Davidson L, Ellem R, Newland G, Hides L. Changes in Substance Use Among People Seeking Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evaluating Mental Health Outcomes and Resilience. Subst Abuse 2021; 15:11782218211061746. [PMID: 34898986 PMCID: PMC8655460 DOI: 10.1177/11782218211061746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background: Alcohol and other drug (AOD) use patterns have altered as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions. This study aimed to: (i) determine the impact of the pandemic on patterns of AOD use among individuals seeking treatment, (ii) identify which mental health and resilience factors were associated with changes in patterns of AOD use and (iii) evaluate changes in the contextual factors (eg, motivations) associated with use. Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were completed by clients (n = 325) who had sought AOD treatment from January 2020 onwards. We measured quantity and frequency of AOD use now compared to before the pandemic, mental health (depression, anxiety, trauma exposure), resilience and contextual factors related to AOD use. Results: Quantity of tobacco and cannabis use increased post-pandemic, while methamphetamine and alcohol did not change. Depression was associated with more frequent alcohol use now compared to before the pandemic, while anxiety and lower resilience were associated with less frequent cannabis use now. Lower resilience was associated changes in methamphetamine use. Depression was associated with using more frequently for enjoyment and to alleviate loneliness following the pandemic, and anxiety was associated with using earlier in the day and to alleviate boredom. Conclusions: The pandemic has led to increased frequency of AOD use for a subset of individuals seeking treatment. Depression, anxiety and resilience are important factors associated with altered AOD use, and changes in the motivations and control surrounding use. Special consideration of this should be considered during AOD treatment through the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Molly Carlyle
- Lives Lived Well Research Group, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Janni Leung
- Lives Lived Well Research Group, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Zoe C Walter
- Lives Lived Well Research Group, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jennifer Juckel
- Institute for Social Science Research, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Caroline Salom
- Institute for Social Science Research, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Catherine A Quinn
- Lives Lived Well Research Group, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lily Davidson
- Lives Lived Well Research Group, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rhiannon Ellem
- Lives Lived Well Research Group, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Grace Newland
- Lives Lived Well Research Group, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Leanne Hides
- Lives Lived Well Research Group, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Gallego-Landin I, García-Baos A, Castro-Zavala A, Valverde O. Reviewing the Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Pathophysiology of Depression. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:762738. [PMID: 34938182 PMCID: PMC8685322 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.762738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a high-impact, debilitating disease and it is currently considered the most prevalent mental illness. It is associated with disability, as well as increased morbidity and mortality. Despite its significant repercussions in our society, its exact pathophysiology remains unclear and therefore, available antidepressant treatment options are limited and, in some cases, ineffective. In the past years, research has focused on the development of a multifactorial theory of depression. Simultaneously, evidence supporting the role of the endocannabinoid system in the neurobiology of neuropsychiatric diseases has emerged. Studies have shown that the endocannabinoid system strongly impacts neurotransmission, and the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems, which are known to be dysfunctional in depressive patients. Accordingly, common antidepressants were shown to have a direct impact on the expression of cannabinoid receptors throughout the brain. Therefore, the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and major depressive disorder is worth consideration. Nevertheless, most studies focus on smaller pieces of what is undoubtedly a larger mosaic of interdependent processes. Therefore, the present review summarizes the existing literature regarding the role of the endocannabinoid system in depression aiming to integrate this information into a holistic picture for a better understanding of the relationship between the two.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ines Gallego-Landin
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC—NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba García-Baos
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC—NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adriana Castro-Zavala
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC—NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Valverde
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC—NeuroBio), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Neuroscience Research Programme, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Oh H, Leventhal AM, Tam CC, Rajkumar R, Zhou S, Clapp JD. Stressors experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and substance use among US college students. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2021; 1:100005. [PMID: 35156105 PMCID: PMC8606256 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2021.100005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic caused numerous stressors that may have been linked to substance use among college students. METHODS We analyzed data from the Fall 2020 Healthy Minds Study (N = 15,995), a non-probability sample of students attending one of 28 universities, who completed an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic (September - December 2020). Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined the associations between COVID-19 stressors (concern, racial/ethnic discrimination, financial distress, infection, illness of loved one, death of loved one, caregiving) and substance use (alcohol, cigarette, marijuana), adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and international student status. All COVID-19 stressors were included in the same weighted logistic regression models. RESULTS About 46.89% of the sample reported drinking any alcohol (in the past 2 weeks), 7.38% used any cigarettes, and 16.87% used any marijuana over the past month. Multivariable logistic regression models showed that infection and caregiving were significantly associated with alcohol use; racial/ethnic discrimination and financial distress were associated with smoking cigarettes; and concern and infection were associated with marijuana use. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 stressors were related to substance use, though the strength and significance of the associations varied depending on the stressors and the type of substance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hans Oh
- Suzanne Dworak Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Adam M. Leventhal
- USC Institute for Addiction Science, University of Southern California, USA
| | | | - Ravi Rajkumar
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, India
| | - Sasha Zhou
- Wayne State University, Department of Public Health, Wayne State, USA
| | - John D. Clapp
- Suzanne Dworak Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Roberts A, Rogers J, Mason R, Siriwardena AN, Hogue T, Whitley GA, Law GR. Alcohol and other substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 229:109150. [PMID: 34749198 PMCID: PMC8559994 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although evidence suggests substance and alcohol use may change during the Covid-19 pandemic there has been no full review of the evidence around this. METHODS A systematic review of all available evidence was carried out to document and interpret the frequency and severity of alcohol and other substance use during the Covid-19 pandemic and their relationship to demographic and mental health variables that may suggest further clinical implications. Peer reviewed articles in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL complete and Sociological Abstracts were searched from December 2019 until November 2020. RESULTS The search and screening identified 45 articles from 513 deduplicated records. The evidence suggests a mixed picture for alcohol use. Overall, there was a trend towards increased alcohol consumption. The proportion of people consuming alcohol during the pandemic ranged from 21.7% to 72.9% in general population samples. Unlike alcohol use, there was a clear trend towards increased use of other substances use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proportion of people consuming other substances during the pandemic ranged from 3.6% to 17.5% in the general population. Mental health factors were the most common correlates or triggers for increased use of both alcohol and other substances. CONCLUSION There is an increased need for treatment for alcohol and other substance use related problems during the pandemic. Increased targeting and evidence-based interventions will also be important in the period which follows this pandemic, to improve the quality of life for individuals and families, but also to prevent additional costs to society and health systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Roberts
- School of Psychology, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK.
| | - Jim Rogers
- Community and Health Research Unit, School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Rachael Mason
- Community and Health Research Unit, School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Aloysius Niroshan Siriwardena
- Community and Health Research Unit, School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Todd Hogue
- School of Psychology, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Gregory Adam Whitley
- Community and Health Research Unit, School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Graham R Law
- Community and Health Research Unit, School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Goncalves R, Labadie M, Chouraqui S, Peyré A, Castaing N, Daveluy A, Molimard M. Involuntary MDMB-4en-PINACA intoxications following cannabis consumption: clinical and analytical findings. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2021; 60:458-463. [PMID: 34850659 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2021.1994144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS MDMB-4en-PINACA is a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (SCRA) that has recently emerged. Data regarding clinical presentations in the event of intoxication is scarce. This study presents MDMB-4en-PINACA identification in cannabis consumers with clinical and analytical descriptions. METHODS Between November 2020 and March 2021, all patients with unexpected or unusually severe effects and Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) greater than or equal to 2 after cannabis consumption were included. Blood and/or urine samples were collected for toxicological analysis. When available, drug material samples were also collected for analysis. RESULTS Between November 2020 and March 2021, 13 patients were included. All cases typically presented with altered mental status (n = 13), and nearly all had returned to a normal or quasi-normal state after around 11 h of observation. Neurological symptoms included headaches (n = 3), hallucinations (3), mydriasis (3), amnesia (2) and seizures (5). Psychiatric symptoms were paranoia (6) and anxiety (2). Digestive symptoms were nausea (2) and vomiting (6). No deaths were recorded. All patients were positive for the SCRA MDMB-4en-PINACA in urine, blood and/or drug material sample. Results from toxicology testing paired with case history showed the potential for MDMB-4en-PINACA to cause or contribute to different clinical disorders. Conclusions: This study highlights the risk of intoxication by SCRAs when taking low-THC cannabis products. Forensic scientists, public health and public safety officials, law enforcement personnel and clinicians should be aware of the impact that these emergent SCRAs may have in their work, especially MDMB-4en-PINACA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Goncalves
- CHU de Bordeaux, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie et Toxicologie, Bordeaux Cedex, France.,Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM U1219, BPH, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Magali Labadie
- CHU de Bordeaux, Centre-Antipoison et Toxicovigilance de Nouvelle Aquitaine, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Simon Chouraqui
- CHU de Bordeaux, Urgences adultes, Place Amélie Raba Léon, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Alexandre Peyré
- CHU de Bordeaux, Centre d'addictovigilance, Place Amélie Raba Léon, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Nadège Castaing
- CHU de Bordeaux, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie et Toxicologie, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Amélie Daveluy
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM U1219, BPH, Bordeaux Cedex, France.,CHU de Bordeaux, Centre d'addictovigilance, Place Amélie Raba Léon, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Mathieu Molimard
- CHU de Bordeaux, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie et Toxicologie, Bordeaux Cedex, France.,Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM U1219, BPH, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Goodyear T, Slemon A, Richardson C, Gadermann A, Salway T, Dhari S, Knight R, Jenkins E. Increases in Alcohol and Cannabis Use Associated with Deteriorating Mental Health among LGBTQ2+ Adults in the Context of COVID-19: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study in Canada, 2020-2021. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:12155. [PMID: 34831910 PMCID: PMC8620284 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, other queer, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2+) people are particularly at risk for the psycho-social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, though population-tailored research within this context remains limited. This study examines the extent of, and associations between, increased alcohol and cannabis use and deteriorating mental health among LGBTQ2+ adults in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data are drawn from LGBTQ2+ respondents to a repeated, cross-sectional survey administered to adults living in Canada (May 2020-January 2021). Bivariate cross-tabulations and multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to examine associations between increased alcohol and cannabis use, and self-reported mental health, overall coping, and suicidal thoughts. Five-hundred and two LGBTQ2+ participants were included in this analysis. Of these, 24.5% reported increased alcohol use and 18.5% reported increased cannabis use due to the pandemic. In the adjusted analyses, increased alcohol use was associated with poor overall coping (OR = 2.28; 95% CI = 1.28-4.07) and worse self-reported mental health (OR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.21-3.25), whereas increased cannabis use was associated with suicidal thoughts (OR = 2.30; 95% CI = 1.16-4.55). These findings underscore the need for population-tailored, integrated substance use and mental health supports to address interrelated increases in alcohol/cannabis use and worsening mental health among LGBTQ2+ adults, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Goodyear
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada; (T.G.); (A.S.); (S.D.)
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada;
| | - Allie Slemon
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada; (T.G.); (A.S.); (S.D.)
| | - Chris Richardson
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (C.R.); (A.G.)
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Anne Gadermann
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (C.R.); (A.G.)
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- The Human Early Learning Partnership, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Travis Salway
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada;
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Shivinder Dhari
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada; (T.G.); (A.S.); (S.D.)
| | - Rod Knight
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Emily Jenkins
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada; (T.G.); (A.S.); (S.D.)
| |
Collapse
|