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

TY - JOUR

T1 - Brief Report

T2 - Increased Addictive Internet and Substance Use Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

AU - Sun, Yan

AU - Li, Yangyang

AU - Bao, Yanping

AU - Meng, Shiqiu

AU - Sun, Yankun

AU - Schumann, Gunter

AU - Kosten, Thomas

AU - Strang, John

AU - Lu, Lin

AU - Shi, Jie

PY - 2020/7/1

Y1 - 2020/7/1

N2 - 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).

AB - 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).

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85085926361&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1111/ajad.13066

DO - 10.1111/ajad.13066

M3 - Article

C2 - 32500608

AN - SCOPUS:85085926361

SN - 1055-0496

VL - 29

SP - 268

EP - 270

JO - American Journal on Addictions

JF - American Journal on Addictions

IS - 4

ER -