Аннотация:
Introduction. To date, a limited number of studies have been conducted in Russia to assess the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the scale and patterns of tobacco, alcohol, narcotic drugs’, psychotropic and other psychoactive substances’ use; also these studies did not address issues of psychoactive substance use by minors.
Aim. To assess the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on adolescents with mental and behavioral disorders associated with the use of psychoactive substances.
Methods. The survey used screening tests and psychometric scales adapted to assess changes during different periods of the COVID-19 epidemic: Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST); 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10); Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-r). 9 adolescents aged 13-17 were surveyed. Given the small number of observations, a descriptive method was used, and one case report was included.
Results. The majority of adolescents with psychoactive substance-related disorders reported an increase in the level of smoking of cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery devices during periods of restrictions associated with the COVID-19 epidemic; an increase in frequency and volume of alcohol consumption was noted during the months immediately preceding hospitalization and after lifting epidemic-related restrictions; almost a half of adolescents had moderate to high levels of distress before hospitalization; one third showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder during the period described as their most difficult month after the COVID-19 outbreak.
Conclusions. The COVID-19 epidemic had a negative impact on adolescents with mental and behavioral disorders associated with the use of psychoactive substances, and resulted in an increase of psychoactive substances’ use, mainly after the second wave of the COVID-19 epidemic, which required narcological treatment in inpatient settings.
Ключевые слова:
COVID-19 epidemic, substance use, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, sedatives and hypnotics, adolescents, case report.