Adult PTSD symptoms and substance use during Wave 1 of the COVID-19 pandemic. (June 2021) - Currie, Cheryl L.
Highlights: About 13% of Alberta adults had significantly increased their substance use during the pandemic. These increases (alcohol and/or cannabis) did not differ by gender. Pandemic-related PTSD symptoms were associated with increased substance use. This association was moderate in strength and did not differ by gender. Almost 50% of adults indicated they needed supports to help them with these problems. Abstract: Introduction: This study examined associations between pandemic-related PTSD symptoms and substance use among adults, the role of gender and socioeconomic status in these outcomes, and the supports that adults needed to address these problems during Wave 1 of the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Canada. Methods and Measures: Data were collected from 933 community-based adults without a previous diagnosis of PTSD in June 2020. The Primary Care PTSD Screen was adapted to assess pandemic-related PTSD symptoms. Participants were asked if alcohol or cannabis use had increased in the past month. Adjusted logistic regression models examined associations between pandemic-related PTSD symptoms and substance use. Results: More women (19%) than men (13%) met criteria for high pandemic-related PTSD symptomology, while a similar percentage (13.4% of women, 13.2% of men) reported significant increases in substance use during the pandemic. Adults 18–35 years; those who believed they would become infected with the virus; and those with low income, education, or pandemic-related job loss were more likely to report PTSD symptoms. High pandemic-related PTSD symptomology was associated with a significant substance use increase among both women (OR = 2.2) and men (OR = 2.3) in adjusted models. Many adults (50% of women, 40% of men) reported they needed help to address these problems. Conclusions: Pandemic-related PTSD symptoms were common among adults during Wave 1 of COVID-19. These symptoms were associated with a significant increase in substance use among women and men. Many adults voiced a need for help with these problems. Findings suggest substance use interventions that consider and address pandemic-related PTSD symptoms may be needed.