Use of Alcohol and Addictive Drugs During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Norway: Associations With Mental Health and Pandemic-Related Problems

Tore Bonsaksen; Øivind Ekeberg; Inger Schou-Bredal; Laila Skogstad; Trond Heir; Tine K Grimholt

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.667729

Use of Alcohol and Addictive Drugs During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Norway: Associations With Mental Health and Pandemic-Related Problems

Front Public Health. 2021 Jun 14:9:667729. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.667729. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Tore Bonsaksen^{1

2}, Øivind Ekeberg³, Inger Schou-Bredal^{4

5}, Laila Skogstad^{6

7}, Trond Heir^{8

9}, Tine K Grimholt^{10

11}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway.
² Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, Sandnes, Norway.
³ Psychosomatic and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
⁴ Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
⁵ Department for Cancer, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
⁶ Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital HF, Bjørnemyr, Norway.
⁷ Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.
⁸ Norwegian Center for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway.
⁹ Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
¹⁰ Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway.
¹¹ Department of Acute Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

Abstract

Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a major impact on people's daily life. This study aimed to examine use of alcohol and addictive drugs during the COVID-19 outbreak in Norway and examine their association with mental health problems and problems related to the pandemic. Methods: A sample of 4,527 persons responded to the survey. Use of alcohol and addictive drugs were cross-tabulated with sociodemographic variables, mental health problems, and problems related to COVID-19. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the strength of the associations. Results: Daily use of alcohol was associated with depression and expecting financial loss in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak. Use of cannabis was associated with expecting financial loss in relation to COVID-19. Use of sedatives was associated with anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Use of painkillers was associated with insomnia and self-reported risk of complications if contracting the coronavirus. Conclusion: The occurrence of mental health problems is more important for an understanding of the use of alcohol and addictive drugs during the COVID-19 outbreak in Norway, compared to specific pandemic-related worries.

Keywords: COVID-19; alcohol; pandemic; population survey; substance use.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Depression
Disease Outbreaks
Humans
Mental Health
Norway
Pandemics
Pharmaceutical Preparations*
SARS-CoV-2

Substances

Pharmaceutical Preparations