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Substance Use and Mental Health during the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Germany: Results of a Cross-Sectional Survey

Author

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  • Daniel Deimel

    (German Institute for Addiction and Prevention Research, Catholic University of Applied Sciences, 52066 Aachen, Germany
    LVR-Hospital Essen, Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, 47057 Essen, Germany)

  • Christine Firk

    (Institute of Health Research and Social Psychiatry, Catholic University of Applied Sciences, 52066 Aachen, Germany)

  • Heino Stöver

    (Institute for Addiction Research, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, 60318 Frankfurt, Germany)

  • Nicolas Hees

    (LVR-Hospital Essen, Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, 47057 Essen, Germany)

  • Norbert Scherbaum

    (LVR-Hospital Essen, Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, 47057 Essen, Germany)

  • Simon Fleißner

    (Institute for Addiction Research, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, 60318 Frankfurt, Germany)

Abstract

Background: The measures taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have led to significant changes in people’s daily lives. This paper examines changes in substance use during the first lockdown (March–July 2020) and investigates mental health burdens in substance users with increased consumption of alcohol, nicotine or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Germany compared to users with unchanged or reduced consumption. Method: In a cross-sectional online survey, 2369 people were asked about their mental health and their substance use during the first lockdown in Germany. Results: Of the participants, 28.5% increased their alcohol use, 28.8% their use of tobacco products, and 20.6% their use of THC-containing products during the pandemic. The groups with increased alcohol, nicotine, and THC use during the first lockdown reported more depressive symptoms and anxiety. Individuals who reported increased consumption of alcohol or nicotine were also more likely to experience loneliness and have suicidal thoughts and were more often stressed due to social distancing. Conclusion: Alcohol, nicotine and THC increased in a subgroup of consumers who reported to have more mental health problems compared to individuals who did not increase their consumption. This increased substance use could, therefore, be understood as a dysfunctional strategy to cope with negative emotions during the lockdown.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Deimel & Christine Firk & Heino Stöver & Nicolas Hees & Norbert Scherbaum & Simon Fleißner, 2022. "Substance Use and Mental Health during the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Germany: Results of a Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12801-:d:934848
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elizabeth A. K. Jones & Amal K. Mitra & Azad R. Bhuiyan, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health in Adolescents: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-9, March.
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    5. Cristina Mazza & Eleonora Ricci & Silvia Biondi & Marco Colasanti & Stefano Ferracuti & Christian Napoli & Paolo Roma, 2020. "A Nationwide Survey of Psychological Distress among Italian People during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-14, May.
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