Anxiety and the COVID-19 pandemic: substance use behavior and substance use detoxification treatment

BACKGROUND: Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic caused subsequent anxiety. We study the association of anxiety and substance use in patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey of 628 patients with substance use disorder. Substances studied consisted of benzodiazepines, alcohol, tobacco, stimulants, cocaine, opioid, heroin, and cannabis.RESULTS: We found that those with an anxiety disorder had significantly greater odds for use of alcohol (OR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.37-2.75, P<0.001), benzodiazepines (OR=3.00, 95% CI: 1.95-4.62, P<0.001), cannabis (OR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.09-2.23), P=0.02), cocaine (OR=2.04, 95% CI: 1.42-2.95, P<0.001), and stimulants (OR=1.91, 95% CI: 1.06-3.44, P=0.03) than those without an anxiety disorder. Attitudes of "social distancing has made it difficult for me to detox/rehab from my drug of choice" (P=0.01) and "The COVID-19 pandemic has directly impacted my ability to get the support I need while I am in detox/rehab" (P=0.02) were each significantly associated with greater means for those with anxiety disorder.CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety was significantly associated with substance use. Substance use may have been utilized as self-medication. Patients may benefit from psychoeducation about anxiety symptoms and seeking professional psychiatric care to break the cycle of substance use.