Publication

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

Publication Year: 2024

Authors: Halvorson, Max A., Kuklinski, Margaret R., Bailey, Jennifer A., Caouette, Justin D., Guttmannova, Katarina, Rhew, Isaac C., & Oesterle, Sabrina

Publication Title: Addiction

Page(s): Advance online publication. doi:10.1111/add.16582

Link to Publication: https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16582

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.