RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic response on opioid overdose
Linas, B. P., Savinkina, A., Barbosa, C., Mueller, P. P., Cerdá, M., Keyes, K., & Chhatwal, J. (2021). A clash of epidemics: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic response on opioid overdose. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 120, Article 108158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108158
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will have a lasting impact on public health. In addition to the direct effects of COVID-19 infection, physical distancing and quarantine interventions have indirect effects on health. While necessary, physical distancing interventions to control the spread of COVID-19 could have multiple impacts on people living with opioid use disorder, including impacts on mental health that lead to greater substance use, the availability of drug supply, the ways that people use drugs, treatment-seeking behaviors, and retention in care. The degree to which COVID-19 will impact the opioid epidemic and through which of the possible mechanisms that we discuss is important to monitor. We employed simulation modeling to demonstrate the potential impact of physical distancing on overdose mortality.
