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The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Encompassing All Addictive Disorders
Volume 47, 2021 - Issue 5
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Original Articles

Drug and alcohol positivity of traumatically injured patients related to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders

Kirsten N. Younga Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, CA, USAORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2988-0131
ORCID Icon,
Eric O. Yeatesa Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
,
Areg Grigoriana Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA;b Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
,
Morgan Schellenbergb Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
,
Natthida Owattanapanichb Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
,
Galinos Barmparasc Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
,
Daniel Marguliesc Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
,
Catherine Juillardd Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
,
Kent Garberd Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
,
Henry Cryerd Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
,
Areti Tilloud Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
,
Sigrid Burrusse Department of Surgery, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
,
Liz Penaloza-Villalobose Department of Surgery, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
,
Ann Line Department of Surgery, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
,
Ryan Arthur Figuerase Department of Surgery, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
,
Megan Brennerf Riverside/Riverside University Health System Department of Surgery, University of California, Moreno Valley, CA, USA
,
Christopher Firekg Riverside University Health System, Comparative Effectiveness and Clinical Outcomes Research Center (CECORC), Moreno Valley, CA, USA
,
Todd Costantinih Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
,
Jarrett Santorellih Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
,
Terry Curryh Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
,
Diane Wintzi Department of Surgery, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
,
Walter L. Bifflj Trauma Department, Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, La Jolla, CA, USA
,
Kathryn B. Schafferj Trauma Department, Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, La Jolla, CA, USA
,
Thomas K. Duncank Department of Surgery, Ventura County Medical Center, Ventura, CA, USA
,
Casey Barbarok Department of Surgery, Ventura County Medical Center, Ventura, CA, USA
,
Graal Diazk Department of Surgery, Ventura County Medical Center, Ventura, CA, USA
,
Arianne Johnsonl Department of Trauma, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Cottage Health Research Institute, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
,
Justine Chinna Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
,
Ariana Naaseha Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
,
Amanda Leunga Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
,
Christina Grabara Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
&
Jeffry Nahmiasa Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, CA, USACorrespondence[email protected]
 show all
Pages 605-611 | Received 06 Jan 2021, Accepted 14 Mar 2021, Published online: 04 Jun 2021
 
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ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 related stay-at-home (SAH) orders created many economic and social stressors, possibly increasing the risk of drug/alcohol abuse in the community and trauma population.

Objectives: Describe changes in alcohol/drug use in traumatically injured patients after SAH orders in California and evaluate demographic or injury pattern changes in alcohol or drug-positive patients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 11 trauma centers in Southern California (1/1/2020-6/30/2020) was performed. Blood alcohol concentration, urine toxicology results, demographics, and injury characteristics were collected. Patients were grouped based on injury date – before SAH (PRE-SAH), immediately after SAH (POST-SAH), and a historical comparison (3/19/2019-6/30/2019) (CONTROL) – and compared in separate analyses. Groups were compared using chi-square tests for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous variables.

Results: 20,448 trauma patients (13,634 male, 6,814 female) were identified across three time-periods. The POST-SAH group had higher rates of any drug (26.2% vs. 21.6% and 24.7%, OR = 1.26 and 1.08, p < .001 and p = .035), amphetamine (10.4% vs. 7.5% and 9.3%, OR = 1.43 and 1.14, p < .001 and p = .023), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (13.8% vs. 11.0% and 11.4%, OR = 1.30 and 1.25, p < .001 and p < .001), and 3,4-methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) (0.8% vs. 0.4% and 0.2%, OR = 2.02 and 4.97, p = .003 and p < .001) positivity compared to PRE-SAH and CONTROL groups. Alcohol concentration and positivity were similar between groups (p > .05).

Conclusion: This Southern California multicenter study demonstrated increased amphetamine, MDMA, and THC positivity in trauma patients after SAH, but no difference in alcohol positivity or blood concentration. Drug prevention strategies should continue to be adapted within and outside of hospitals during a pandemic.

Disclosures statement

The authors report that there are no financial disclosures

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