Psychotropic drugs consummation during COVID 19 lockdown

Tehami, S; Djaafar, R; Benfetima, M.c; Boudechich, S; Laib, S; Bourass, S; Kamas, S; Madoui, F.z; Belmahi, M.h

Journal of Molecular and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume 1, Numéro 2, Pages 39-49
2022-08-31

Psychotropic Drugs Consummation During Covid 19 Lockdown

Authors : Tehami S . Djaafar R . Benfetima M.c . Boudechich S . Laib S . Bourass S . Kamas S . Madoui F.z . Belmahi M.h .

Abstract

In order to determine the impact of the pandemic on the consumption of psychotropic drugs during the COVID19 lockdown, a prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional and multicentric study was carried out among 110 drug addicts from two centers in Constantine city in the North East of Algeria. The studied population was predominantly male (96%), aged 20 to 29 years (54%). The most used substances were: tobacco (87.2%), pregabalin (84.4%), cannabis (81.7%) and tramadol (68.8%). Tobacco is the most consume substance; it is also the most inhaled legal substance in the world. For cannabis, the most widely used substance in the world, neither prohibition nor containment has a significant effect on trafficking networks or consumption of this drug. Concerning the pregabalin and tramadol, their use has increased, especially among adolescents, due to a legal void in the management of psychotropic drugs. During the confinement, 44.54% of the subjects have increased their consumption frequency. Psychological factors specific to Covid-19 seem to be involved. The main disordersreported were anxiety (68%), insomnia (54.9%), nervousness (47.3%), stress (40.7%), aggression (30.8%) and depression (18.7%). Despite the closing of the frontiers, the supply of illicit drugs could continue during the lockdown, the maritime transport. In conclusion, the negative impact of confinement on the mental health of addicts people calls for better care for these drugs abusers.