Change in Psychoactive Substance Consumption in Relation to Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Uruguay

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