The continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in depression in U.S. adults, with the number experiencing it tripling, according to a recent study from Boston University's School of Public Health.
The study, which was led by the University of Houston, found that stress during the pandemic can trigger many mental health problems. This can lead to substance use or abuse.
The study, published in Psychiatry Research, said mental health could continue to be impacted by the pandemic for several years into the future.
Fears about the coronavirus were looked at in three groups during the study. The groups were: people who don’t use substances, people who started using substances during the pandemic and people who have been using substances before the pandemic, Medical News Today reported.
The use of alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, stimulants, e-cigarettes and opioids were questioned.
Of the 160 study participants, 8.8% have been consuming alcohol since the beginning of pandemic, 6.9% using cigarettes, 5.6% using stimulants, 5.6% using opioids, 5% using cannabis and 4.4% using e-cigarettes.
Many of those who said they have been using substances also said they have increased worries about the coronavirus.
“These results provide preliminary evidence that COVID-19-related worry and fear may be putative risk factors for substance use initiation in the face of COVID-19, and these results may provide critical clinical information for helping individuals cope with this pandemic,” the study authors wrote, according to Medical News Today.
Data from the study also indicate that opioid users had the highest levels of worry.
“Results generally suggest the persons using substance experience the highest levels of COVID-19-related worry and fear,” the authors said in the study. “Additionally, worry about COVID-19 is related to coping motives for substance use.”
Researchers believe doctors can find data from the study useful to help prevent the development of substance use and mental health problems.
“The impact of COVID-19 on psychological symptoms and disorders, addiction and health behavior is substantial and ongoing and will negatively impact people’s mental health and put them at greater risk for chronic illness and drug addiction," Michael Zvolensky, senior author of the study, told Medical News Today. "It will not equally impact all of society. Those at greater risk are those who have mental health vulnerabilities or disorders.”
