IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i4p1967-d501251.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Changes in Drug Use Patterns during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: Monitoring a Vulnerable Group by Hair Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Alessio Gili

    (Hygiene and Public Health Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi, 06132 Perugia, Italy)

  • Mauro Bacci

    (Forensic Medicine, Forensic Science and Sports Medicine Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi, 06132 Perugia, Italy)

  • Kyriaki Aroni

    (Forensic Medicine, Forensic Science and Sports Medicine Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi, 06132 Perugia, Italy)

  • Alessia Nicoletti

    (Forensic Medicine, Forensic Science and Sports Medicine Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi, 06132 Perugia, Italy)

  • Angela Gambelunghe

    (Occupational Medicine, Respiratory Diseases and Toxicology Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi, 06132 Perugia, Italy)

  • Isabella Mercurio

    (Forensic Medicine, Forensic Science and Sports Medicine Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi, 06132 Perugia, Italy)

  • Cristiana Gambelunghe

    (Forensic Medicine, Forensic Science and Sports Medicine Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi, 06132 Perugia, Italy)

Abstract

From 22 March until 18 May 2020, a complete lockdown in Italy was ordered as a countermeasure against the COVID-19 pandemic. Social isolation measures affect some populations more than others, and people with drug and/or alcohol disorders (SUDs) are more likely to be adversely affected. This study presents, for the first time, laboratory data on the use of alcohol and drugs in a high-risk population during Italy’s first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty subjects with SUDs were monitored for the use of illicit drugs and alcohol every 3 months before, during and after the lockdown, by hair analysis. The number of samples positive for heroin, cocaine, MDMA and cannabis fell considerably during the lockdown and then resumed to pre-lockdown levels when the period of confinement was over. Interestingly, the consumption of benzodiazepines and alcohol followed the opposite trend; both the number of benzodiazepine-positive samples and the level of alcohol consumption increased and remained high, even at the end of the lockdown. The confinement measures produced significant changes in drug/alcohol use patterns, with a shift toward the use of substances that were more easily accessible, used as self-medication for negative feelings, and used to alleviate the effects of abstinence from drugs that were no longer readily available.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessio Gili & Mauro Bacci & Kyriaki Aroni & Alessia Nicoletti & Angela Gambelunghe & Isabella Mercurio & Cristiana Gambelunghe, 2021. "Changes in Drug Use Patterns during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: Monitoring a Vulnerable Group by Hair Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-11, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1967-:d:501251
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/4/1967/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/4/1967/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. de Goeij, Moniek C.M. & Suhrcke, Marc & Toffolutti, Veronica & van de Mheen, Dike & Schoenmakers, Tim M. & Kunst, Anton E., 2015. "How economic crises affect alcohol consumption and alcohol-related health problems: A realist systematic review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 131-146.
    2. Maria Rosaria Gualano & Giuseppina Lo Moro & Gianluca Voglino & Fabrizio Bert & Roberta Siliquini, 2020. "Effects of Covid-19 Lockdown on Mental Health and Sleep Disturbances in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-13, July.
    3. Jan Chodkiewicz & Monika Talarowska & Joanna Miniszewska & Natalia Nawrocka & Przemyslaw Bilinski, 2020. "Alcohol Consumption Reported during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Initial Stage," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-11, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Jacques Gaume & Elodie Schmutz & Jean-Bernard Daeppen & Frank Zobel, 2021. "Evolution of the Illegal Substances Market and Substance Users’ Social Situation and Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Alessio Gili & Massimo Lancia & Angela Gambelunghe & Luca Tomassini & Alessia Nicoletti & Kyriaki Aroni & Cristiana Gambelunghe, 2023. "Long-Term Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Drug/Alcohol Use Prevalence in a Population with Substance Use Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-10, June.
    3. Rebecca S. Bolinski & Suzan Walters & Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar & Lawrence J. Ouellet & Wiley D. Jenkins & Ellen Almirol & Brent Van Ham & Scott Fletcher & Christian Johnson & John A. Schneider & Dan, 2022. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Drug Use Behaviors, Fentanyl Exposure, and Harm Reduction Service Support among People Who Use Drugs in Rural Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-12, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Camila Salazar-Fernández & Daniela Palet & Paola A. Haeger & Francisca Román Mella, 2021. "COVID-19 Perceived Impact and Psychological Variables as Predictors of Unhealthy Food and Alcohol Consumption Trajectories: The Role of Gender and Living with Children as Moderators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Sandra Radoš Krnel & Maja Roškar & Marjetka Hovnik Keršmanc & Maruša Rehberger & Gorazd Levičnik & Ada Hočevar Grom, 2022. "Changes in Alcohol Consumption among Different Population Groups during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Outcomes of the Slovenian Cross-Sectional National Survey (SI-PANDA)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Henrike Schecke & Madeleine Fink & Alexander Bäuerle & Eva-Maria Skoda & Adam Schweda & Venja Musche & Hannah Dinse & Benjamin Maurice Weismüller & Sheila Moradian & Norbert Scherbaum & Martin Teufel, 2021. "Changes in Substance Use and Mental Health Burden among Women during the Second Wave of COVID-19 in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Víctor J. Villanueva-Blasco & Verónica Villanueva Silvestre & Andrea Vázquez-Martínez & Antonio Rial Boubeta & Manuel Isorna, 2021. "Age and Living Situation as Key Factors in Understanding Changes in Alcohol Use during COVID-19 Confinement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-17, October.
    5. Margarida Vasconcelos & Alberto Crego & Rui Rodrigues & Natália Almeida-Antunes & Eduardo López-Caneda, 2021. "Effects of the COVID-19 Mitigation Measures on Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking in College Students: A Longitudinal Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-14, September.
    6. Hubert Dobrowolski & Dariusz Włodarek, 2021. "Body Mass, Physical Activity and Eating Habits Changes during the First COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-9, May.
    7. Silvia Eiken Alpers & Jens Christoffer Skogen & Silje Mæland & Ståle Pallesen & Åsgeir Kjetland Rabben & Linn-Heidi Lunde & Lars Thore Fadnes, 2021. "Alcohol Consumption during a Pandemic Lockdown Period and Change in Alcohol Consumption Related to Worries and Pandemic Measures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-11, January.
    8. Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Lavinia Bianco & Mario Maninchedda & Benedetta Barchielli & Fabrizio Liguori & Giovanna Da Molin & Giorgio Liguori & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Stefano Ferracuti &, 2022. "How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Impacted Daily Life? Assessing the Use of Web Resources for Recreational Activities in the Italian Adult Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-13, November.
    9. Melanie Koeger & Hannah Schillok & Stephan Voss & Michaela Coenen & Christina Merkel & Caroline Jung-Sievers & On behalf of the COSMO Study Team, 2022. "Alcohol Use of German Adults during Different Pandemic Phases: Repeated Cross-Sectional Analyses in the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring Study (COSMO)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, May.
    10. Moniek C. M. Goeij & Jan-Willem Bruggink & Ferdy Otten & Anton E. Kunst, 2017. "Harmful drinking after job loss: a stronger association during the post-2008 economic crisis?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 62(5), pages 563-572, June.
    11. Martyna Wysokińska & Aleksandra Kołota, 2022. "Assessment of the Prevalence of Alcoholic Beverage Consumption and Knowledge of the Impact of Alcohol on Health in a Group of Polish Young Adults Aged 18–35: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-21, November.
    12. Szymon Florek & Magdalena Piegza & Paweł Dębski & Piotr Gorczyca & Robert Pudlo, 2022. "The Influence of Sociodemographic Factors on Symptoms of Anxiety, the Level of Aggression and Alcohol Consumption in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Polish Respondents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-12, June.
    13. Mohd Fadhli Mohd Fauzi & Hanizah Mohd Yusoff & Rosnawati Muhamad Robat & Nur Adibah Mat Saruan & Khairil Idham Ismail & Ahmad Firdaus Mohd Haris, 2020. "Doctors’ Mental Health in the Midst of COVID-19 Pandemic: The Roles of Work Demands and Recovery Experiences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-16, October.
    14. Isabela Maria MONTEIRO VIEIRA & Brenda Lohanny PASSOS SANTOS & Denise SANTOS RUZENE & Tomáš BRÁNYIK & José António TEIXEIRA & João Batista E DE ALMEIDA SILVA & Daniel PEREIRA SILVA, 2018. "Alcohol and Health: Standards of Consumption, Benefits and Harm - a Review," Czech Journal of Food Sciences, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 36(6), pages 427-440.
    15. Daniela Reyes-Olavarría & Pedro Ángel Latorre-Román & Iris Paola Guzmán-Guzmán & Daniel Jerez-Mayorga & Felipe Caamaño-Navarrete & Pedro Delgado-Floody, 2020. "Positive and Negative Changes in Food Habits, Physical Activity Patterns, and Weight Status during COVID-19 Confinement: Associated Factors in the Chilean Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-14, July.
    16. Lígia Passos & Filipe Prazeres & Andreia Teixeira & Carlos Martins, 2020. "Impact on Mental Health Due to COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study in Portugal and Brazil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-13, September.
    17. Filomena Pietrantonio & Francesco Rosiello & Elena Alessi & Matteo Pascucci & Marianna Rainone & Enrica Cipriano & Alessandra Di Berardino & Antonio Vinci & Matteo Ruggeri & Serafino Ricci, 2021. "Burden of COVID-19 on Italian Internal Medicine Wards: Delphi, SWOT, and Performance Analysis after Two Pandemic Waves in the Local Health Authority “Roma 6” Hospital Structures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, June.
    18. Mateusz Ciski & Krzysztof Rząsa, 2023. "Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression in the Investigation of Local COVID-19 Anomalies Based on Population Age Structure in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-23, May.
    19. Mateusz Łuc & Marcin Pawłowski & Arkadiusz Jaworski & Karolina Fila-Witecka & Dorota Szcześniak & Hanna Augustyniak-Bartosik & Dorota Zielińska & Aleksandra Stefaniak & Anna Pokryszko-Dragan & Justyna, 2023. "Coping of Chronically-Ill Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparison between Four Groups," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-14, March.
    20. Monika Talarowska & Jan Chodkiewicz & Natalia Nawrocka & Joanna Miniszewska & Przemysław Biliński, 2020. "Mental Health and the SARS-COV-2 Epidemic—Polish Research Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-11, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1967-:d:501251. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.