Global events—like wars, pandemics, natural disasters, and financial crashes—change our lives in big ways. We often talk about the economic impact or the loss of freedom during such times. But one area that’s frequently overlooked is how these crises affect drug use and addiction.
According to the World Drug Report, global crises can lead to increased substance use due to stress, anxiety, and economic hardship. This makes it crucial to focus on prevention strategies and providing access to treatment services. Additionally, long-term efforts to dismantle drug economies by implementing socioeconomic opportunities and alternatives are essential to tackle the underlying issues of poverty, underdevelopment, and insecurity.
The illicit drug trade is a complex and multifaceted issue, influenced by various global events that disrupt drug markets. Drug production, particularly in regions like Latin America and Syria, has wide-reaching socio-economic impacts, contributing to violence, lawlessness, and economic pressures. Drug distribution networks also change significantly due to natural disasters and geopolitical events, affecting drug prices and availability and often leading to increased violence.
At PCP, we believe it’s vital to understand how global events impact those struggling with substance use. In this article, we’ll explore how addiction patterns shift during major crises, why this happens, and what we can learn to better support people in the future.
How Global Events Affect Addiction During a Global Pandemic
Drug addiction rates might not be the first thing most people think about when discussing global events, but research has shown a significant link between the two phenomena. This includes the broader issue of drug abuse, which has significant social implications and requires collaborative efforts to address.
A clear example of this is data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which showed that 13% of Americans started or increased substance use as a means of dealing with stress related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The CDC also reported that opioid-related deaths rose by 18% during the early months of the pandemic when compared to the same period the previous year. This trend continued in most states throughout 2020. This rise in opioid-related deaths also highlights the issue of drug dependency and the prevalence of drug use disorders, which often go untreated.
However, data from the UK which was obtained through the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths (NPSAD) showed a different pattern. Aside from an uptick early in the lockdowns, the overall deaths due to drug overdoses in the UK did not exceed projected trends.
However, some changes were noticed in overdose patterns. For example, opiate overdoses due to methadone increased significantly, while heroin/morphine overdoses saw a decrease. Also, the rates of deaths at home due to opioid overdose rose, while hospital-related overdose deaths fell. This shift underscores the importance of regulating controlled substances to prevent misuse and addiction.
The numbers also show that alcohol use among heavy drinkers rose in the UK during the pandemic, and this was associated with a rise in total alcohol-related deaths during 2020. However, it is important to point out that most alcohol-related deaths are due to the long-term consequences of alcohol use, instead of acute alcohol poisoning although this saw some increase as well.
It is also important to note that the effects of widespread crises do not affect all areas and socioeconomic groups equally. For instance, although national alcohol use in the UK fell slightly during and after the Great Recession, binge drinking rates were noticed to have increased significantly among the unemployed and alcohol-related causes of death were found to be almost 50% higher among lower-income groups than the affluent.
Surprisingly, the use of party drugs such as ecstasy or cocaine did not fall during the pandemic despite the restrictions on social gatherings and parties. This may suggest a shift from recreational use to dependent use as a means of coping with stress. Additionally, cocaine users are often unaware of the associated violence and exploitation occurring during the drug’s supply chain.
Aside from the changes in drug use patterns and drug-related deaths, certain crises (such as the pandemic) also affect the production, distribution and enforcement surrounding illicit drug use. During such times, individuals may resort to extreme measures to buy drugs, highlighting the socioeconomic factors that lead to dangerous behaviors.
For example, a survey from Release showed that most drug users found it harder to obtain illicit drugs after the lockdown was lifted and also noticed an increase in the cost of street drugs during this period. This may be due to supply shortages caused by the relaxation of covid restrictions, though the data surrounding this is lacking and it is possible that other factors contributed significantly as well. The survey also indicated that some individuals had to inject drugs more frequently due to the scarcity, increasing the risk of overdose and transmission of diseases.
Some individuals find it harder to access certain drugs during crises whether due to lockdown restrictions such as during the pandemic or a lack of vital infrastructure, labs and supply chains such as during natural disasters or war. However, as the crisis drags on, many dealers of illicit drugs often find ways around these challenges, restoring some normalcy to the illicit drug market. Syringe exchange programs play a crucial role in harm reduction during such times, providing sterile syringes to drug users and promoting safer practices.
The same survey also reported that most drug users in the UK did notice a significant rise or drop in the purity of illicit drugs during the pandemic. However, some law enforcement agencies reported suspicions that some suppliers were increasingly adulterating certain drugs to make limited supplies last longer.
Why These Changes Occur
Most of the reasons for these changes in drug use patterns and addiction rates are obvious, though some factors may be a bit harder to pick out.
Firstly, the isolation, stress, and uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and the lockdown restrictions led to an increase in depression, anxiety, and PTSD rates, as well as worsening the severity of those already struggling with these conditions. Limited access to detoxification centers further exacerbated the situation, making it difficult for individuals to seek the help they needed.
This was also noted in mental health research following natural disasters, wars, and even financial crises. Mental health difficulties are well-established risk factors for drug misuse and addiction, and likely contribute to the uptick in drug use during and after widespread crises.
It is also important to note that the effects of widespread crises do not impact all socioeconomic groups equally. These events disproportionately affect marginalized groups, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and leading to increased drug-related harms.
Also, many crises (such as Hurricane Katrina in the US, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2008 financial crisis) lead to varying degrees of socioeconomic struggles involving unemployment, housing instability, and in many cases food insecurity. Economic crises, in particular, contribute to increased job loss and financial stress, further impacting mental health and drug use patterns.
Furthermore, access to mental health services is typically restricted during crises. This makes it harder for people to receive the mental health services they need. Human services play a crucial role in addressing these issues, with funding from the Department of Health and Human Services being essential in tackling rising opioid mortality rates. Additionally, individuals with substance use disorders face increased challenges, including exacerbated withdrawal symptoms, due to disruptions in drug availability and treatment accessibility. However, the UK government did make efforts to continue offering mental health services to people struggling with substance use disorders through telehealth services and take-home prescriptions of methadone instead of supervised consumption.
Seek Drug Treatment Services Today
Global events such as pandemics, wars, and economic crises have a profound impact on addiction rates and substance use patterns. These events often heighten psychological distress, disrupt drug markets, and limit access to treatment and support services. Additionally, the increase in drug taking during such times highlights the broader consequences on global health and society.
While responses vary across regions and populations, the overall trend points to increased vulnerability among those already at risk. Addressing the socioeconomic factors and structural challenges that lead to illicit crop cultivation is essential. Furthermore, tackling the illegal cultivation of illicit crops and understanding the full spectrum of other illicit drugs are crucial for shaping effective public health responses and ensuring continuity of care during future global crises.
At PCP we understand how global events can be a challenging time for those struggling with addiction or who are in recovery. Reach out to PCP today if you or someone you know is struggling with some form of addiction. Recovery is possible, and it can start now.
