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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.
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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.
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Titus-Lay E, Nehira J, Courtney J, Jee J, Kumar M, Tiet J, Le V, Durbin-Johnson B, Chen MS, Vinall R. A pharmacist-led community-based survey study: Determining the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on actionable factors associated with worse cancer outcomes and cancer health disparities. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN CLINICAL AND SOCIAL PHARMACY 2023; 11:100311. [PMID: 37533758 PMCID: PMC10392607 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The goals of this cross-sectional community-based survey study were to assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on actionable factors which are known to contribute to worse cancer outcomes, and to determine whether race and ethnicity-based differences exist. Methods A survey study which captured demographic information and changes in cancer outcomes-related factors since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, was conducted at a public Covid-19 vaccination clinic over a period of 10 days during March 2021. Surveys were administered in multiple languages. Chi-square tests and ANOVA followed by post-hoc Dunnett testing assessed for race and ethnicity-based differences. Results A total of 949 people participated (61.6% participation rate). Ninety-three surveys were removed based on inclusion criteria giving a final participant number of 856. Many participants reported postponing cancer screenings (17.8%) and cancellation of medical appointments (22.8% and 25.8% reported cancelled appointments by providers or themselves, respectively) due to the pandemic. Participants also reported decreased physical activity (44.7%) and increased tobacco and/or marijuana usage (7.0%). Conversely, participants reported consuming more fruits and vegetables (21.4%) and decreasing alcohol consumption (21.4%). Several race-related differences but no ethnicity-related differences were observed. Conclusion Our data can be used to help guide pharmacist-led targeted outreach in our community which will help mitigate Covid-19 pandemic-driven changes in behaviors associated with worse cancer outcomes and exacerbation of cancer health disparities. To our knowledge, this is the first cancer outcomes-related study to be conducted at a public Covid-19 vaccination site and is the first pharmacist-led study in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Titus-Lay
- California Northstate University College of Pharmacy (CNUCOP), Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Jeffrey Nehira
- California Northstate University College of Pharmacy (CNUCOP), Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Jennifer Courtney
- California Northstate University College of Pharmacy (CNUCOP), Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Jacquelyn Jee
- California Northstate University College of Pharmacy (CNUCOP), Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Marissa Kumar
- California Northstate University College of Pharmacy (CNUCOP), Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Jenny Tiet
- California Northstate University College of Pharmacy (CNUCOP), Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Vivi Le
- California Northstate University College of Pharmacy (CNUCOP), Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Blythe Durbin-Johnson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Moon S. Chen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Ruth Vinall
- California Northstate University College of Pharmacy (CNUCOP), Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
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3
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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.
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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.
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Assaf RD, Javanbakht M, Gorbach PM, Arah OA, Shoptaw SJ, Cooper ZD. Puff, Puff, Don't Pass: harm reduction for cannabis use during a viral respiratory pandemic. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:23. [PMID: 36829150 PMCID: PMC9957690 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00751-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, cannabis use social practices often involved sharing prepared cannabis (joints/blunts/cigarettes) and cannabis-related paraphernalia. Previous studies have demonstrated that sharing paraphernalia for cannabis, tobacco, and crack cocaine is a risk factor for respiratory viral and bacterial infections. Although COVID-19 is a respiratory viral infection that spreads through droplets and airborne transmission, it is unclear if many individuals adopted harm reduction practices around sharing cannabis. This study: quantifies the prevalence of sharing prepared non-medical cannabis and cannabis-related paraphernalia reported before and during the pandemic; assesses changes in sharing of non-medical cannabis from before to during the pandemic; assess the association between frequency of non-medical cannabis use and sharing of cannabis during the pandemic; and describes how respondents obtained their cannabis and the reasons for changing their cannabis use during the pandemic to explain differences in sharing patterns. METHODS This cross-sectional study used data collected from an anonymous, US-based web survey on cannabis-related behaviors from August to September 2020 (n = 1833). Participants were included if they reported using a mode of inhalation for non-medical cannabis consumption. We calculated proportional changes in sharing cannabis before/during the COVID-19 pandemic. Associations between frequency of cannabis use and cannabis sharing during the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Overall, 1,112 participants reported non-medical cannabis use; 925 (83.2%) reported a mode of cannabis inhalation. More respondents reported no sharing during (24.9%) than before the pandemic (12.4%; p < 0.01); less respondents shared most of the time (19.5% before; 11.2% during; p < 0.01) and always during the pandemic (5.2% before; 3.1% during; p < 0.01). After adjusting for covariates, the odds of any sharing during the pandemic for those who reported ≥ weekly cannabis use was 0.53 (95% CI 0.38, 0.75) compared to those who reported ≤ monthly. CONCLUSIONS Sharing of prepared cannabis and cannabis-related paraphernalia decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic. This finding suggests potential risk mitigation strategies taken by participants for COVID-19 prevention either directly through behavior change or indirectly through adherence to COVID-19 prevention recommendations. Harm reduction messaging around sharing of cannabis during surges of COVID-19 or other respiratory infections may provide benefit in reducing infection among those who use cannabis, especially as cannabis use in the USA continues to increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D Assaf
- UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 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 (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Marjan Javanbakht
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pamina M Gorbach
- UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 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 (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Onyebuchi A Arah
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Statistics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steven J Shoptaw
- Center for Behavioral and Addiction Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Family Medicine and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ziva D Cooper
- UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 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
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5
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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:ijerph19116489. [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.
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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;
- Correspondence:
| | - 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
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6
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Lipperman-Kreda S, Sanders E, Kaner E, Antin TM. Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Tobacco and Nicotine Use among Young Adults Identified as Sexual and Gender Minorities: A Mixed Methods Approach. DRUGS (ABINGDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 29:289-296. [PMID: 36051858 PMCID: PMC9426672 DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2022.2063711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the perceived impact of COVID-19 on changes in tobacco and nicotine (NT) use among sexual and gender minority (SGM) young adults. We used a mixed methods approach that included closed- and open-ended survey questions and in-depth interviews. Participants were 53 SGM young adults in California who reported current or past cigarette smoking. Of study participants, 63% (n=33) reported any changes in their NT use, and of those, 60% reported initial increase of NT use. Content analysis of an open-ended survey question revealed three reported reasons for changes in NT use: (1) changes in routine activities (27%), (2) stress (46%), and (3) health (24%). Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews identified several related themes: (1) in discussions of increased NT use, stress and boredom/free time were important aspects of changes to daily routines, (2) fluctuations in NT use behaviors occurred over time, (3) reasons for NT changes were multiple and intertwined, and (4) NT use changes were shaped by experiences related to intersectional forms of structural and social stigmatization. Results reveal the dynamic and complex ways in which participants described their pandemic-related changes in NT use-nuance that is crucial for compassionate and participant-centered approaches to tobacco prevention and cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Lipperman-Kreda
- Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 601, Berkeley, CA, USA 94704
- Center for Critical Public Health @ the Institute for Scientific Analysis, 1150 Ballena Blvd, Suite 211 Alameda, CA USA 94501
| | - Emile Sanders
- Center for Critical Public Health @ the Institute for Scientific Analysis, 1150 Ballena Blvd, Suite 211 Alameda, CA USA 94501
| | - Emily Kaner
- Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 601, Berkeley, CA, USA 94704
- Center for Critical Public Health @ the Institute for Scientific Analysis, 1150 Ballena Blvd, Suite 211 Alameda, CA USA 94501
| | - Tamar M.J Antin
- Center for Critical Public Health @ the Institute for Scientific Analysis, 1150 Ballena Blvd, Suite 211 Alameda, CA USA 94501
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7
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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.
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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
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