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. 2020 Jul;29(4):268-270.
doi: 10.1111/ajad.13066. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Brief Report: Increased Addictive Internet and Substance Use Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

Yan Sun  1 , Yangyang Li  1 , Yanping Bao  1 , Shiqiu Meng  1 , Yankun Sun  2 , Gunter Schumann  3 , Thomas Kosten  4 , John Strang  5 , Lin Lu  1   2 , Jie Shi  1   6   7   8
Affiliations

Brief Report: Increased Addictive Internet and Substance Use Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

Yan Sun et al. Am J Addict. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Background and objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic and control measures may have increased the risk of abusing addictive substances as well as addictive behaviors.

Methods: We present an initial online survey in 6416 Chinese about the relation between the COVID-19 pandemic and addictive behavior in China.

Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 46.8% of the subjects reported increased dependence on internet use, and 16.6% had longer hours of internet use. The prevalence (4.3%) of severe internet dependence rose up to 23% than that (3.5%) before the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, and their dependence degree rose 20 times more often than being declined (60% vs 3%). Relapses to abuse from alcohol and smoking abstinence were relatively common at 19% and 25%, respectively. Similarly, 32% of regular alcohol drinkers and 20% of regular smokers increased their usage amount during the pandemic.

Conclusion and scientific significance: These three coping behaviors (internet, alcohol, and smoking) during this COVID-19-related crisis appear to have increased the risk for substance use disorders and internet addiction. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00-00).

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Comment in

  • [COVID-19 and changes in smoking behavior].
    Underner M, Perriot J, Peiffer G, Jaafari N. Underner M, et al. Rev Mal Respir. 2020 Oct;37(8):684-686. doi: 10.1016/j.rmr.2020.08.004. Epub 2020 Aug 24. Rev Mal Respir. 2020. PMID: 32883550 Free PMC article. French. No abstract available.

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