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ABSTRACT
Background
Monitoring substance use and Substance Use Disorders (SUD) during global pandemics is essential, as individuals who engage in such activities may be at greater risk for infections as well as economic and social complications. This study aimed to describe the impact of COVID-19 on substance use and SUD, any changes that occurred in patterns of use, and services provided, the main challenges faced and if and how they had been overcome.
Methods
A qualitative study consisting of face-to-face semi-structured interviews with a sample of SUD patients from 3 main addiction treatment centers in Jordan. Recruitment stopped once data saturation was reached. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo-R1 software, and thematic analysis was undertaken.
Results
A total of 17 individuals were interviewed (male, aged 19–52 years). Five key themes emerged from a narrative analysis: Impact of COVID-19 on the availability of substances, the pattern of use, social life and its relation to SUD, impact on tobacco smoking, and finally on the user’s health, awareness and hygienic measures.
Conclusions
This study provided in-depth information to inform, support, and customize the design of interventions to mitigate the negative effects of substance use and SUD-related outcomes in a rapidly changing pandemic.
Acknowledgments
This work was funded by a generous grant from Albdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Research Support Fund (AHSF). We also would like to thank the participating patients and all workers at the Addiction Treatment centre (AND), National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts (NCRA) and Forearms of Change Centre for Enabling the Communality (FOCCCEC) in Amman for facilitating this work
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).