The Impact of COVID-19 on Substance Use Disorders and Behavioral Addictions

The COVID-19 pandemic has endangered global health indirectly through social changes and directly due to the consequences of the infection itself. COVID-19 is linked to the development of long-term effects and recent research shows that some symptoms, such as psychiatric symptoms, persist for years after recovery.

Increased prevalence and severity of both substance and behavioral addictions are among the most harmful consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak. It is crucial to research the long-term effects of COVID-19 disease on patients suffering from substance use disorders (SUD) and behavioral addictions to reduce the negative impacts in post-COVID period. Longitudinal researches focused on the negative impacts of substance and Internet use in prolonged stress situations on mental and physical health, vulnerable groups and quality of life (QoL) in post-COVID period are of great importance to help clinicians and policymakers to reduce adverse consequences.

The goal of this Research Topic is to examine the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) and behavioral addictions, particularly focusing on mental health and overall well-being. Long-term complications of COVID-19 disease are still present long after the acute phase of the disease and they remain an imperative public health problem. Considerable number of studies have explored long COVID in other populations (children, adolescents, healthcare workers, and other at-risk groups), however key questions remain unanswered for individuals with SUD and behavioral addictions. For instance: Which individuals are more vulnerable to the harmful consequences of COVID-19? What are the specific health effects, including neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms, and how long do they persist? What are the most common symptoms of long COVID-19 in individuals with SUD and behavioral addictions? Do these symptoms affect quality of life? Longitudinal and interdisciplinary studies are especially encouraged.

This collection of scientific papers will expand the body of knowledge on the impact of COVID-19 on the well-being of patients with SUD and behavioral addictions. By addressing this gap, the collection aims to expand the evidence base, support the identification of COVID-related consequences in this population, with goal of improving their treatment and the adaptation of services to address the long-term consequences within addiction treatment.

We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following sub-themes:

1. Mental health consequences of COVID-19 disease of individuals with SUD and behavioral addictions.

How has the pandemic affected neuropsychiatric (anxiety, depression, stress, psychiatric comorbidities, etc.) and cognitive symptoms in this population?

2. The impact of COVID-19 disease on other organ systems and physical health in individuals with SUD and behavioral addictions.

Are there specific organ system vulnerabilities or complications in this group?

3. The impact of COVID-19 disease on addictive behaviors in individuals with SUD and behavioral addictions.

What patterns of substance and Internet use have emerged or intensified during and after the pandemic?

4. Long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on recovery and relapse in individuals with SUD and behavioral addictions.

What are the lasting psychosocial and clinical consequences for individuals with SUD and behavioral addictions?

5. Long COVID-19 and its manifestations in individuals with SUD and behavioral addictions.

Which symptoms persist, and how do they interact with addiction-related vulnerabilities?

6. The impact of COVID-19 on SUD and behavioral addictions treatment facilities.

How have treatment facilities adapted, and what barriers remain?

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: covid-19, long covid, substance use disorders

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.