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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
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    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. 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.
    3. 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.
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    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.

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