Trends in Substance Use and Abuse During COVID-۱۹ Among the General Population

Background: COVID-۱۹ pandemic has brought many public health issues, including substance use and abuse. Individuals abusing substances are vulnerable to severe infections caused by SARS-CoV-۲ virus as well as impairment of the immune system, mental health, and physical health. Despite considerable efforts to minimize and prevent substance use, the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit substances is ever increasing resulting in morbidity and mortality which significantly leads to socio-economic costs. Methods: A quantitative review of the literature searched in PubMed and Google Scholar databases yielded a total of ۱۴۱۶ studies among which ۲۷ cross-sectional studies, conducted on the general population of ۱۵ and above years of age, were selected based on the eligibility criteria. Findings: A sample of ۱,۰۲۱,۱۱۸ individuals were investigated in this study. The most commonly used substances were marijuana (۱۰۰%), methadone (۶۹.۸۶%), and large cigar (۶۰%). A total of ۲۶ substances were reported to have been used during pandemic, ۱۳ of which showed trends in usage (increased/decreased/no change). Of the total sample, ۴۵.۸۹% were males, ۵۴.۱۴% females, and ۱.۲۸% others.Conclusion: Everyone and anyone is susceptible to alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use and abuse at different stages of their lives. Therefore, the need for effective preventive strategies is critical in community efforts to combat substance abuse. Combined efforts from local and global stakeholders will lead to curbing the issue of substance use and abuse worldwide.

Keywords:

Substance abuse , Substance Use , COVID-۱۹ disease