Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders in relation to COVID-19: Qualitative Experience of Users in Jordan

Background: Monitoring substance use and SUD during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential, as individuals who engage in substance use are at greater risk of COVID-19, and the economic and social changes resulting from the pandemic may aggravate SUDs.

We qualitatively describe, from the perspective of SUD patients, what is known regarding the impact of COVID-19 on substance use and SUD, any changes that occurred in the pattern of use, services provided, main challenges faced, and how they were overcome. Hypothesis: COVID-19 has an effect on SUD and services provided to SUD patients during the pandemic in Jordan (i.e.-March 2020- time of study conduction in March 2021).

Methods: We conducted in-person semi-structured interviews with a sample of SUD patients at the 2 main addiction treatment centers in Jordan and one Community Based Organization (CBO). Recruitment stopped once data saturation was reached). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVIVO-R1, and themes were identified.

Results: Seventeen participants were interviewed (male, aged 19-52 years). Five key themes emerged from a narrative analysis: Impact of COVID-19 on the availability of substances, the pattern of use, social life and its relation to SUD, on smoking, and finally on the user’s health, awareness, and hygienic measures. ConclusionWe provide in-depth data to inform, support, and customize the design of interventions to mitigate the negative effects of substance use and SUD-related outcomes in the rapidly changing pandemic.