The Change in Psychoactive Substance Consumption in Relation to Psychological Stress During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Uruguay

• DOI: 10.18295/squmj.5.2021.106
• Publication Date: 2021-05-27T08:24:56Z
• Authors: Paul Ruiz; Florencia Semblat; Ricardo M Pautassi
• Keywords: Pandemic; Psychoactive substance; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Consumption; Psychological stress

This study aimed to analyse how the health crisis associated with COVID-19 pandemic affected psychoactive substance consumption in Uruguay.An online survey was answered by 1,916 Uruguayan citizens between March and April 2020 regarding use before after instauration of a recommended quarantine, increases frequency volume (during quarantine) they reported as having consumed most year prior quarantine psychological distress experienced during last month.The main substances were alcohol, tobacco, marijuana psychopharmaceuticals. Approximately 28% respondents increased (and 17.7%, frequency) had quarantine. Moreover, 5.7% initiated new mostly Psychological significantly higher among women, participants under 30 those that their or second preferred substance. The group reporting an increase exhibited greater distress.These results indicate association Uruguay period well this levels stress. These are relevant terms public policies.