The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant disruptions to various aspects of society, including mental health and substance use patterns. Through an examination of the calls made to an alcohol and drug helpline in Victoria, Australia, the study published on PubMed sheds light on the association between lockdown measures during the pandemic and the frequency and nature of calls related to alcohol, methamphetamine, and cannabis use concerns. Let’s delve into the key findings and implications outlined in the research:

Retrospective Analysis of Helpline Data

The research conducted a retrospective analysis of data spanning from January 2018 to September 2020, focusing on calls related to alcohol, methamphetamine, and cannabis use concerns. By examining caller characteristics before and during the COVID-19 period, the study aimed to uncover shifts in call patterns and caller demographics in response to the pandemic-induced lockdown measures.

During the COVID-19 period (March 2020 to September 2020), there was a notable increase in the rate of change over time in the number of alcohol-related calls, indicating a growing demand for support in this area. Additionally, first-time alcohol-related callers showed an increase, highlighting the potential impact of the pandemic on individuals seeking help for alcohol use concerns.

Demographic and Service Utilisation Trends

The study revealed differences in caller demographics during the COVID-19 period, with alcohol callers exhibiting lower socio-economic indicators and cannabis callers being younger. Moreover, changes in service utilisation patterns were observed, such as reductions in certain types of calls involving counselling/support, information provision, and referrals for alcohol, cannabis, and methamphetamine use concerns.

The findings suggest that while the frequency of alcohol-related calls increased over time during the initial phase of the pandemic, the helpline may not have been fully utilised to address methamphetamine and cannabis-related issues. This underscores the importance of promoting helpline services effectively during times of crises to ensure that individuals in need of support have access to timely and appropriate assistance.

Source: PubMed