- Rapid increase in telemedicine and patient-centered care
- Some countries have had to pause/reduce harm-reduction services, leading. to inappropriate use of treatment drugs
- Individuals with SUDs and COVID-19 are hospitalized require psychiatry liaisons due to pharmacological interventions/complications, withdrawal symptoms, and more
-Unhoused people with SUDs have been organized through emergency shelters

University of California, Davis

- Immediate impacts on treating SUDs
- Treatment of SUDs post-pandemic (short-term)
- Treatment of SUDs post-pandemic (long-term)

COVID-19's Impact on SUDs

López-Pelayo, H., Aubin, H., Drummond, C. et al. “The post-COVID era”: challenges in the treatment of substance use disorder (SUD) after the pandemic. BMC Med 18, 241 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-020-01693-9

“The post-COVID era”: challenges in the treatment of substance use disorder (SUD) after the pandemic

Immediate impacts on treating SUDs

- More people will use substances. Economic downturn is likely during/after the pandemic, and substance use historically increases during times of economic downturns, and even after previous pandemics where medium- and long-term increases in alcohol and drug use was seen. 

2 sets of factors that are all likely outcomes from the pandemic impact substance use.
- Emotional distress, isolation, and unemployment increase alcohol and drug use
- Reduced availiability, higher prices, and financial restrictions decrease substance use

Treatment of SUDs post-pandemic (short-term)

The pandemic provides a chance to reassess SUDs treatment systems to meet the moment.

- Telemedicine and digital solutions
- Hospitalization at home
- Consultation-liaison psychiatric and addiction services
- Harm-reduction facilities
- Person-centered care
- Promote paid work to improve quality of life in people with substance use disorders
- Integrated addiction care

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