COVID-19-related treatment service disruptions among people with single- and polysubstance use concerns

Abstract

Individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs), including those in long-term recovery, and their loved ones are facing rapid changes to treatment and support services due to COVID-19. To assess these changes, the Addiction Policy Forum fielded a survey to their associated patient and family networks between April 27 and May 13, 2020. Individuals who reported a history of use of multiple substances were more likely to report that COVID-19 has affected their treatment and service access, and were specifically more likely to report both use of telehealth services and difficulties accessing needed services. These findings suggest that individuals with a history of using multiple substances may be at greater risk for poor outcomes due to COVID-19, even in the face of expansion of telehealth service access.

Keywords: Addictive behaviors; COVID-19; Polysubstance use; Substance-related disorders; Telemedicine; Treatment access.

Fig. 1

Polysubstance use and self-reported ability to access needed services. The x axis depicts the number of substances participants endorsed using (including alcohol, nicotine, opioids, marijuana, sedatives, stimulants, and others). The y axis depicts the percent of this group reporting that they were “unable to access needed services” for treatment and recovery support, specifically due to changes in service because of COVID-19. Error bars indicate 95% confidence intervals.