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Young adults with a history of substance use disorder experienced more negative mental health, social, and economic outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic period

Author(s): Max A. Halvorson, Margaret R. Kuklinski, Jennifer A. Bailey, Justin D. Caouette, Katarina Guttmannova, Isaac C. Rhew, Sabrina Oesterle

Publication: 2024. "Addiction" 119, 9 (September): 1597-1607.

Identifier(s): COVID-19 pandemic, mental health, social and economic burden, social determinants of health, substance use disorder, young adults

URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/add.16582?casa_token=owSCyeBRe0kAAAAA%3AaOhpxgwdIFpvucAVENkGFe2kK1ylwNvlpvxpfVyYzBnFmcfGOfZOpMl9RIMHA29UXkJaynhODZszhYE

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16582

Publication type: Journal Article

Access: Google Scholar | Tagged | XML

Abstract:

Background and aims

For young adults, the disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic to work, social relationships and health-care probably impacted normative life stage transitions. Disaster research shows that negative effects of these events can persist for years after the acute crisis ends. Pandemic-related disruptions may have been especially consequential for young adults with a history of substance use disorder (SUD). The current work aimed to measure the broad impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young adults with and without a history of SUD.

Design, setting and participants

Data were from a longitudinal panel of n = 4407 young adults across the United States surveyed repeatedly from 2014 to 2019 (aged 19–26 years, pre-pandemic) and again in 2021 (aged 28 years, mid-pandemic).

Measurements

We fitted multi-level models to understand the association between SUD history and pandemic outcomes, controlling for potential confounders (socio-demographic and health measures). Outcomes included overall life disruption; mental health, social and economic impacts; substance use; and physical health.

Findings

Young adults with a history of SUD reported greater life disruption (standardized β = 0.13–0.15, Ps < 0.015) and negative mental health impacts (standardized β = 0.12–0.14, Ps < 0.012), experienced approximately 20% more work-related stressors (relative risks = 1.18–1.22, Ps < 0.002) and 50% more home-related stressors (relative risks = 1.40–1.51, Ps < 0.001), and had two to three times the odds of increased substance use during the pandemic (odds ratios = 2.07–3.23, Ps < 0.001). Findings generally did not differ between those with a recent SUD diagnosis and those in recovery from SUD before the pandemic began.

Conclusions

United States young adults with a history of substance use disorder (SUD) reported more life disruption and greater negative physical and mental health, social and economic impacts during the COVID mid-pandemic period than young adults with no history of SUD.