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Illicit Substance Use and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States: A Scoping Review and Characterization of Research Evidence in Unprecedented Times

Author

Listed:
  • Anh Truc Vo

    (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Thomas Patton

    (Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA)

  • Amy Peacock

    (National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Sarah Larney

    (Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada)

  • Annick Borquez

    (Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA)

Abstract

We carried out a scoping review to characterize the primary quantitative evidence addressing changes in key individual/structural determinants of substance use risks and health outcomes over the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States (US). We systematically queried the LitCovid database for US-only studies without date restrictions (up to 6 August 2021). We extracted quantitative data from articles addressing changes in: (a) illicit substance use frequency/contexts/behaviors, (b) illicit drug market dynamics, (c) access to treatment and harm reduction services, and (d) illicit substance use-related health outcomes/harms. The majority of 37 selected articles were conducted within metropolitan locations and leveraged historical timeseries medical records data. Limited available evidence supported changes in frequency/behaviors/contexts of substance use. Few studies point to increases in fentanyl and reductions in heroin availability. Policy-driven interventions to lower drug use treatment thresholds conferred increased access within localized settings but did not seem to significantly prevent broader disruptions nationwide. Substance use-related emergency medical services’ presentations and fatal overdose data showed a worsening situation. Improved study designs/data sources, backed by enhanced routine monitoring of illicit substance use trends, are needed to characterize substance use-related risks and inform effective responses during public health emergencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Anh Truc Vo & Thomas Patton & Amy Peacock & Sarah Larney & Annick Borquez, 2022. "Illicit Substance Use and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States: A Scoping Review and Characterization of Research Evidence in Unprecedented Times," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-28, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8883-:d:868601
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    Cited by:

    1. Zahra Mojtahedi & Ying Guo & Pearl Kim & Parsa Khawari & Hailey Ephrem & Jay J. Shen, 2023. "Mental Health Conditions– and Substance Use—Associated Emergency Department Visits during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nevada, USA," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-11, March.

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