Young adults with a history of substance use disorder experienced more negative mental health, social and economic outcomes during the COVID‐19 pandemic period

Abstract

AbstractBackground and aimsFor young adults, the disruptions brought by the COVID‐19 pandemic to work, social relationships and health‐care probably impacted normative life stage transitions. Disaster research shows that negative effects of these events can persist for years after the acute crisis ends. Pandemic‐related disruptions may have been especially consequential for young adults with a history of substance use disorder (SUD). The current work aimed to measure the broad impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on young adults with and without a history of SUD.Design, setting and participantsData were from a longitudinal panel of n = 4407 young adults across the United States surveyed repeatedly from 2014 to 2019 (aged 19–26 years, pre‐pandemic) and again in 2021 (aged 28 years, mid‐pandemic).MeasurementsWe fitted multi‐level models to understand the association between SUD history and pandemic outcomes, controlling for potential confounders (socio‐demographic and health measures). Outcomes included overall life disruption; mental health, social and economic impacts; substance use; and physical health.FindingsYoung adults with a history of SUD reported greater life disruption (standardized β = 0.13–0.15, Ps < 0.015) and negative mental health impacts (standardized β = 0.12–0.14, Ps < 0.012), experienced approximately 20% more work‐related stressors (relative risks = 1.18–1.22, Ps < 0.002) and 50% more home‐related stressors (relative risks = 1.40–1.51, Ps < 0.001), and had two to three times the odds of increased substance use during the pandemic (odds ratios = 2.07–3.23, Ps < 0.001). Findings generally did not differ between those with a recent SUD diagnosis and those in recovery from SUD before the pandemic began.ConclusionsUnited States young adults with a history of substance use disorder (SUD) reported more life disruption and greater negative physical and mental health, social and economic impacts during the COVID mid‐pandemic period than young adults with no history of SUD.