AUTHOR=Radfar Seyed Ramin , De Jong Cornelis A. J. , Farhoudian Ali , Ebrahimi Mohsen , Rafei Parnian , Vahidi Mehrnoosh , Yunesian Masud , Kouimtsidis Christos , Arunogiri Shalini , Massah Omid , Deylamizadeh Abbas , Brady Kathleen T. , Busse Anja , ISAM-PPIG Global Survey Consortium , Potenza Marc N. , Ekhtiari Hamed , Baldacchino Alexander Mario , Abagiu Adrian Octavian , Abouna Franck David Noel , Ahmed Mohamed Hassan , Al-ansari Basma , Al-khair Feda Mahmmoud Abu , Almaqbali Mandhar Humaid , Ambekar Atul , Ardabili Hossein Mohaddes , Arya Sidharth , Lasebikan Victor Olufolahan , Ayasreh Murad Ali , Basu Debasish , Benmebarek Zoubir , Bhad Roshan , Blaise Mario , Bonnet Nicolas , Brasch Jennifer , Broers Barbara , Butner Jenna L. , Camilleri Moses , Campello Giovanna , Carra Giuseppe , Celic Ivan , Chalabianloo Fatemeh , Chaturvedi Abhishek , Cherpitel José de Jesús Eduardo Noyola , Clark Kelly J. , Cyders Melissa Anne , Bernardis Ernesto de , Derry John Edward , Dhagudu Naveen Kumar , Dolezalova Pavla , Dom Geert , Dunlop Adrian John , Elhabiby Mahmoud Mamdouh , Elkholy Hussien , Essien Nsidibe Francis , Farah Ghandi Ilias , Ferri Marica , Floros Georgios D , Friedman Catherine , Fuderanan Clara Hidalgo , Gerra Gilberto , Ghosh Abhishek , Gogia Maka , Grammatikopoulos Ilias A. , Grandinetti Paolo , Guirguis Amira , Gutnisky David , Haber Paul Steven , Hassani-Abharian Peyman , Hooshyari Zahra , Ibrahim Islam Ibrahim Mokhtar , Ieong Hada Fong-ha , Indradewi Regina Nova , Iskandar Shelly , Jain Shobhit , James Sandi , Javadi Seyyed Mohammad hossein , Joe Keun Ho , Jokubonis Darius , Jovanova Acka Tushevska , Kamal Rama Mohamed , Kantchelov Alexander Ivanov , Kathiresan Preethy , Katzman Gary , Kawale Paul , Kern Audrey Margaret , Kessler Felix Henrique Paim , Kim Sung-Gon Sue , Kimball Ann Marie , Kljucevic Zeljko , Siste Kristiana , Lev Roneet , Lee Hae Kook , Lengvenyte Aiste , Lev-ran Shaul , Mabelya Geni Seseja , Mahi Mohamed Ali El , Maphisa J. Maphisa , Maremmani Icro , Masferrer Laura , McCambridge Orlagh , McGovern Garrett Gregory , Min Aung Kyi , Moghanibashi-Mansourieh Amir , Mora-Rios Jazman , Mudalige Indika Udaya Kumara , Mukherjee Diptadhi , Munira Pejic Munira , Myers Bronwyn , N Jayakrishnan Menon T , Narasimha Venkata Lakshmi , Ndionuka Nkemakolam , Nejatisafa Ali-Akbar , Niaz Kamran , Nizami Asad Tamizuddin , Nuijens Jan H. , Orsolini Laura , Oum Vantheara , Oyemade Adegboyega Adekunle , Palavra Irena Rojnia , Pant Sagun Ballav , Paredes Joselyn , Peyron Eric , Quirós Randall Alberto , Qurishi Rouhollah , Rafiq Noor ul Zaman , Rao Ranjini Raghavendra , Ratta-apha Woraphat , Raymond Karren-Lee , Reimer Jens , Renaldo Eduardo , Rezapour Tara , Robertson James Roy , Roncero Carlos , Roub Fazle , Rubenstein Elizabeth Jane , Rupp Claudia Ines , Saenz Elizabeth , Salehi Mohammad , Samartzis Lampros , Sarubbo Laura Beatriz , Segrec Nusa , Shah Bigya , Shen Hongxian , Shirasaka Tomohiro , Shoptaw Steve , Sintango Fransiskus Muronga , Sosa Veronica Andrea , Subata Emilis , Sztycberg Norberto , Taghizadeh Fatemeh , Teck Joseph Brian Tay Wee , Tjagvad Christian , Torrens Marta , Twala Judith Meme , Vadivel Ramyadarshni , Volpicelli Joseph Robert , Weijs Jelmer , Wintoniw Steven Michael , Wittayanookulluk Apisak , Wojnar Marcin , Yasir Sadia , Yitayih Yimenu , Zhao Min , Zonoozi Arash Khojasteh
TITLE=Reorganization of Substance Use Treatment and Harm Reduction Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Survey
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry
VOLUME=12
YEAR=2021
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.639393
DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2021.639393
ISSN=1664-0640
ABSTRACT=Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted people with substance use disorders (SUDs) worldwide, and healthcare systems have reorganized their services in response to the pandemic.
Methods: One week after the announcement of the COVID-19 as a pandemic, in a global survey, 177 addiction medicine professionals described COVID-19-related health responses in their own 77 countries in terms of SUD treatment and harm reduction services. The health responses were categorized around (1) managerial measures and systems, (2) logistics, (3) service providers, and (4) vulnerable groups.
Results: Respondents from over 88% of countries reported that core medical and psychiatric care for SUDs had continued; however, only 56% of countries reported having had any business continuity plan, and 37.5% of countries reported shortages of methadone or buprenorphine supplies. Participants of 41% of countries reported partial discontinuation of harm-reduction services such as needle and syringe programs and condom distribution. Fifty-seven percent of overdose prevention interventions and 81% of outreach services were also negatively impacted.
Conclusions: Participants reported that SUD treatment and harm-reduction services had been significantly impacted globally early during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our findings, we highlight several issues and complications resulting from the pandemic concerning people with SUDs that should be tackled more efficiently during the future waves or similar pandemics. The issues and potential strategies comprise the following: (1) helping policymakers to generate business continuity plans, (2) maintaining the use of evidence-based interventions for people with SUDs, (3) being prepared for adequate medication supplies, (4) integrating harm reduction programs with other treatment modalities, and (5) having specific considerations for vulnerable groups such as immigrants and refugees.