Along with other NIH partners, NIDA supported research on the intersection of COVID-19 and substance use disorders. Studies, some of which are ongoing, have included:
Children and Adolescents. The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study is looking at the impact of COVID-19 on maternal health and substance use, and infant development. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM (ABCD) study is investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent health and brain development, including mental health and substance use. Read about findings related to COVID-19.
Epidemiology. Under an NIH-wide program, NIDA has led research to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, a project that takes advantage of expertise NIDA developed to detect the presence of drugs in wastewater. Studies have shown that concentrations in wastewater correlated with new diagnoses of COVID-19. The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study is collecting additional data on the relationship between COVID-related stressors, mental health, and substance use.
Mental Health. Research is assessing the impact of COVID-19 outcomes and policies on mental health, suicide, substance use, and drug overdoses in adults. This includes examining the effects of the pandemic on substance use, mental health, and treatment access in both caregiving adults and their young adult children.
Treatment Policy. Clinical trials characterize the impact of COVID-19 related policy changes on drug use, drug supply, and access to medicines for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in rural primary and American Indian/Alaskan Native communities, and on access to buprenorphine across the entire U.S. For example, researchers assessed how MOUD providers are using telemedicine, COVID-19-related changes in how they treat opioid use disorder, and the impact of telemedicine on MOUD care.
Health Inequities. Researchers leveraged the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) infrastructure to implement and evaluate a COVID-19 testing approach in justice settings, for non-incarcerated individuals with previous involvement in the legal system, and low-income Latino/a people.
HIV-related Health. Researchers examined COVID-19 related changes in substance use, SUD treatment, and HIV prevention and care among those at high risk for HIV.