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Tang Y, Kirk B, Olanrewaju F, Abildso CG, Winstanley EL, Lilly CL, Rudisill TM. Cannabis use among adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2024; 11:100232. [PMID: 38682152 PMCID: PMC11053264 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2024.100232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Background A systematic review of the literature was performed to summarize cannabis use among adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Special focus was given to the prevalence of cannabis use during COVID-19, as well as factors that may explain changes in cannabis consumption patterns. Methods The protocol of this systematic review was registered. Articles from seven publication databases were searched in January 2022. The inclusion criteria for studies were as follows: 1) published in English; 2) study instruments needed to include items on COVID-19; 3) conducted after January 1st, 2020; 4) published in a peer-reviewed journal, dissertation, or thesis; 5) study population ≤25 years of age; 6) study designs were limited to observational analytical studies; 7) measured cannabis use. This review excluded other reviews, editorials, and conference abstracts that were not available as full text manuscripts. Independent review, risk of bias assessment, and data abstraction were performed by two authors. Results Fifteen articles from the United States (n=11) and Canada (n=4) were included in this review. The findings of this review showed that the prevalence of cannabis use during the pandemic among adolescents and young adults were mixed. Some mental health symptoms, including depression and anxiety, were identified as the most commonly reported reasons for increased cannabis use during the pandemic. Conclusions This review highlights the inconsistencies in the prevalence of cannabis use among adolescents and young adults during the pandemic. Therapeutic interventions for mental health and continued public health surveillance should be conducted to understand the long-term effects of cannabis use among adolescents and young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuni Tang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Brenna Kirk
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Folawiyo Olanrewaju
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Christiaan G. Abildso
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Erin L. Winstanley
- Division of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Christa L. Lilly
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Toni M. Rudisill
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
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Mehra K, Rup J, Wiese JL, Watson TM, Bonato S, Rueda S. Changes in self-reported cannabis use during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2139. [PMID: 37915021 PMCID: PMC10621278 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17068-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting mental health and substance use (MHSU) issues worldwide. The purpose of this study was to characterize the literature on changes in cannabis use during the pandemic and the factors associated with such changes. METHODS We conducted a scoping review by searching peer-reviewed databases and grey literature from January 2020 to May 2022 using the Arksey and O'Malley Framework. Two independent reviewers screened a total of 4235 documents. We extracted data from 129 documents onto a data extraction form and collated results using content analytical techniques. RESULTS Nearly half (48%) of the studies reported an increase/initiation of cannabis use, while 36% studies reported no change, and 16% reported a decrease/cessation of cannabis use during the pandemic. Factors associated with increased cannabis use included socio-demographic factors (e.g., younger age), health related factors (e.g., increased symptom burden), MHSU factors (e.g., anxiety, depression), pandemic-specific reactions (e.g., stress, boredom, social isolation), cannabis-related factors (e.g., dependence), and policy-related factors (e.g., legalization of medical/recreational cannabis). CONCLUSION Public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic have the potential to significantly impact cannabis use. The pandemic has placed urgency on improving coping mechanisms and supports that help populations adapt to major and sudden life changes. To better prepare health care systems for future pandemics, wide-reaching education on how pandemic-related change impacts cannabis use is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamna Mehra
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Jennifer Rup
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Jessica L Wiese
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Tara Marie Watson
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7, Canada
| | - Sarah Bonato
- Library Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
| | - Sergio Rueda
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada.
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada.
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Coulaud PJ, Airagnes G, McGrath K, Bolduc N, Bertrand K, Jauffret-Roustide M, Knight R. Factors Associated with Self-Reported Changes in Alcohol Use among Young Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Analysis between Canada and France. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16694. [PMID: 36554575 PMCID: PMC9778883 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
While the COVID-19 pandemic impacted young adults' alcohol use patterns, little is known about how changes in alcohol use may differ across different settings. Our objective was to identify and compare factors associated with changes in alcohol use among young adults in Canada and France during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an online cross-sectional survey in October-December 2020 with young adults aged 18-29 (n = 5185) in Canada and France. In each country, weighted multinomial logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with self-reported decrease and increase in alcohol use separately (reference: no change). Respectively, 33.4% and 21.4% reported an increase in alcohol use in Canada and France, while 22.9% and 33.5% reported a decrease. Being 25-29 was a predictor of decrease in Canada, while living away from family was associated with an increase in France. In both countries, participants were more likely to report an increase if they reported depressive symptoms, smoking tobacco, or cannabis use. Conversely, those who had been tested for COVID-19 and those who were highly compliant with COVID-19 preventive measures were more likely to report a decrease. Efforts are needed to develop alcohol use interventions for young adults, including in ways that prioritize those with mental health challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Julien Coulaud
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Guillaume Airagnes
- AP-HP. Centre-Université Paris Cité, DMU Psychiatrie et Addictologie, 75006 Paris, France
- INSERM, Population-Based Epidemiological Cohorts, 94800 Villejuif, France
| | - Kai McGrath
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Naseeb Bolduc
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Karine Bertrand
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Longueuil, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Marie Jauffret-Roustide
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Centre d’Étude des Mouvements Sociaux (EHESS/CNRS UMR8044/INSERM U1276), 75244 Paris, France
- Baldy Center on Law and Social Policy, Buffalo University, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Rod Knight
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K5, Canada
- École de Santé Publique de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
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Andrews CN, Rehak R, Woo M, Walker I, Ma C, Forbes N, Rittenbach K, Hathaway J, Wilsack L, Liu A, Nasser Y, Sharkey KA. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in North America: evaluation of health burden and treatment prevalence. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 56:1532-1542. [PMID: 36307209 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a poorly understood vomiting disorder associated with chronic cannabis use. AIMS To characterise patients experiencing CHS in North America and to obtain a population-based estimate of CHS treatment prevalence in Canada before and during the Covid-19 pandemic METHODS: Internet survey of 157 CHS sufferers in Canada and the United States. Administrative health databases for the province of Alberta (population 5 million) were accessed to measure emergency department (ED) visits for vomiting, with a concurrent diagnostic code for cannabis use. Three time periods of 1 year were assessed: prior to recreational cannabis legalisation (2017-2018), after recreational legalisation (2018-2019) and during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic (2020-2021). RESULTS Problematic cannabis use (defined as a CUDIT-R score ≥8) was universal among the survey cohort, and 59% and 68% screening for moderate or worse anxiety or depression, respectively. The overall treatment prevalence of CHS across all ages increased from 15 ED visits per 100,000 population (95% CI, 14-17) prior to legalisation, to 21 (95% CI, 20-23) after legalisation, to 32 (95% CI, 31-35) during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic (p < 0.001). Treatment prevalence among chronic cannabis users was as high as 6 per 1000 in the 16-24 age group. CONCLUSION Survey data suggest patients with CHS almost universally suffer from a cannabis use disorder, which has significant treatment implications. Treatment prevalence in the ED has increased substantially over a very short time period, with the highest rates seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher N Andrews
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Renata Rehak
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Matthew Woo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ian Walker
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christopher Ma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nauzer Forbes
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Katherine Rittenbach
- Provincial Addiction and Mental Health Portfolio™, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joshua Hathaway
- Alberta Health Services/CRISM Prairies, CRISM-AHS Advancement of Analytics in Substance Use, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lynn Wilsack
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andy Liu
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Centre, New York, New York City, USA
| | - Yasmin Nasser
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Keith A Sharkey
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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