The study found that across 21 European countries substance use remained unchanged for half the respondents. For the other half there was either a decrease or increase. For alcohol use, overall, a larger proportion of respondents indicated a decrease than those reporting an increase. For tobacco and cannabis use more respondents reported an increase.

The study offers insight into alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use in the initial months of the pandemic.

Author

Jakob Manthey (email: jakob.manthey@tu-dresden.de), Carolin Kilian, Sinclair Carr, Miroslav Bartak, Kim Bloomfield, Fleur Braddick, Antoni Gual, Maria Neufeld, Amy O'Donnell, Benjamin Petruzelka, Vladimir Rogalewicz, Ingeborg Margrete Rossow, Bernd Schulte and Jurgen Rehm

Citation

Manthey, J., Kilian, C., Carr, S., Bartak, M., Bloomfield, K., Braddick, F., Gual, A., Neufeld, M., O'Donnell, A., Petruzelka, B., Rogalewicz, V., Rossow, I., Schulte, B. and Rehm, J., 2021. Use of Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis, and Other Substances During the First Wave of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Europe: a Survey on 36,000 European Substance Users.


Source
Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
Release date
26/04/2021

Use of Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis, and Other Substances During the First Wave of the Sars-Cov-2 Pandemic in Europe: A Survey on 36,000 European Substance Users

Abstract

Background

SARS-CoV-2 reached Europe in early 2020 and disrupted the private and public life of its citizens, with potential implications for substance use. The objective of this study was to describe possible changes in substance use in the first months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Europe.  

Methods

Data were obtained from a cross-sectional online survey of 36,538 adult substance users from 21 European countries conducted between April 24 and July 22 of 2020. Self-perceived changes in substance use were measured by asking respondents whether their use had decreased (slightly or substantially), increased (slightly or substantially), or not changed during the past month. The survey covered alcohol (frequency, quantity, and heavy episodic alcohol use occasions), tobacco, cannabis, and other illicit drug use. Sample weighted data were descriptively analysed and compared across substances. 

Results

Across all countries, use of all substances remained unchanged for around half of the respondents, while the remainder reported either a decrease or increase in their substance use. For alcohol use, overall, a larger proportion of respondents indicated a decrease than those reporting an increase. In contrast, more respondents reported increases in their tobacco and cannabis use during the previous month compared to those reporting decreased use. No distinct direction of change was reported for other substance use. 

Conclusions

The findings suggest changes in use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis during the initial months of the pandemic in several European countries. This study offers initial insights into changes in substance use. Other data sources, such as sales statistics, should be used to corroborate these preliminary findings. 


Source Website: Research Square