Journal of Substance Use
Journal of Substance Use
3 years ago

Substance consumption styles during the COVID-19 lockdown for socially integrated people who use drugs

Raimondo Maria Pavarin, Sara Bettelli, Elia Nostrani, Chiara Mazzotta, Valentina Salsano, Anna Laura Ulgheri, Alessandra Lentidoro, Annalisa Pezzi, Claudia Bregli
Background: No studies have investigated changes of substance or alcohol consumption for non-problematic drug users within a period without restrictions in comparison with a period of lockdown. Objectives: Identification of changes in habits and in substance consumption styles during the lockdown due to COVID-19 among socially integrated people who use drugs. Methods: Semi-structured questionnaire administered via video calls. Results: During the lockdown we highlight a reduction in consumption and expenditure on illegal substances (cocaine, MDMA, ketamine) and alcohol (spirits) and a drastic drop in alcohol misuse. Many interviewees have stopped or have passed from acontextual consumption of substances, connected to sociality, to asolitary use motivated by boredom (alcohol and cannabis), habit (alcohol), search for particular sensations (cannabis) and escape from reality (cocaine). Substance consumption alone increased. Conclusion: Particular attention should be paid to the study of the dissemination and socialization of individual harm reduction practices among socially integrated people who use drug.

Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14659891.2021.1923842

DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2021.1923842

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