The COVID-19 pandemic not only brought a major health crisis but also created long-lasting effects on how people use drugs and alcohol. Many turned to substances to cope with stress, isolation, and financial worries. Even though the worst of the pandemic has passed, these habits remain a serious public health concern.
Studies show that substance use has increased since the pandemic began. In the early months, use may have dropped due to lockdowns and limited access, especially among teenagers who were home with their families. However, as restrictions eased and social life resumed, alcohol use went up. This rise is linked to ongoing struggles with mental health, such as anxiety and depression, which led some people to use substances to cope (KFF, 2023).
Teenagers have been especially affected. During lockdown, teen drinking dropped, but since then, it has rebounded. This is concerning because early substance use can lead to long-term problems. Teen’s mental health also worsened during the pandemic, and many teens may now be using substances to manage negative feelings. Overdose deaths among teens more than doubled during the pandemic, often due to fentanyl-laced drugs (CDC, 2022).
The connection between mental health and substance use has become clearer. Many people are still struggling with anxiety, depression, or trauma-like symptoms years after the pandemic started. A report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) shows that many Americans still feel the country is in a mental health crisis, and this is likely fueling ongoing substance use (KFF, 2023).
Not everyone has been affected equally. People in low-income communities, who often faced the greatest hardships during the pandemic—like job loss or limited healthcare—are more likely to turn to substances. These same groups also tend to have less access to support services, making recovery harder (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2023).
Healthcare workers, who were on the frontlines of the pandemic, have also suffered. Burnout, depression, and emotional exhaustion have made some more vulnerable to using substances to cope with the pressures of their jobs (American Medical Association, 2022).
Despite these challenges, there are ways to help. Protective factors—such as strong social support, healthy coping strategies, and access to mental health services—can lower the risk of substance abuse. For teens, having supportive parents, a safe home, and enough sleep can be especially important. Promoting these protective elements and ensuring access to prevention and treatment can help reduce long-term harm from the pandemic.
In summary, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to lasting increases in substance use, especially alcohol, and has deeply impacted young people and vulnerable communities. With mental health still a major concern, continued support, research, and investment in prevention are key to helping people heal and stay healthy in the years ahead.
New Dimensions Day Treatment Centers Can Help!
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, alcoholism, and/or a mental health issue, New Dimensions can help! New Dimensions offers Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) for adolescents and adults who are struggling with substance abuse and/or mental health issues. We have programs located in The Woodlands, Katy, and the Clear Lake areas of Houston, Texas. We also have online programs that are available to adults who reside within the State of Texas. To learn more about our programs for mental health issues and/or substance abuse contact us at 800-685-9796 or visit our website: www.nddtreatment.com.
References
- American Medical Association (AMA). (2022). Coping with Burnout Among Healthcare Workers. https://www.ama-assn.org
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts. https://www.cdc.gov
- Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). (2023). Mental Health and Substance Use Considerations During and After COVID-19. https://www.kff.org
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2023). Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States. https://www.samhsa.gov
- Walters, S. M., Bolinski, R. S., Almirol, E., Grundy, S., Fletcher, S., Schneider, J., … & Ompad, D. C. (2022, April 25). The impact of COVID-19 on drug use — and how it contributes to overdose risk. New York University. https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2022/april/covid-19-drug-use.html