Quarantine, forced isolation and substance use

The current scenario of COVID-19, from its outbreak last December to its rapid expansion throughout the world in recent months, has determined the application of various measures to contain the virus and reduce the rise in the person-to-person transmission curve However, these necessary health measures - which include isolation, quarantine and social distancing have other undesirable effects The evidence recognizes that uncertainty, fear (of contagion or death) and confinement, which are typical of dealing with a pandemic, cause a range of adverse psychological consequences In this sense, the present article reflects on the reasons and intentionality of drug consumption in a stressful social and health context such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, determining that it is expected to increase and that its functionality is to mitigate the emotional impact of its experience, which has multiple implications not only for its understanding but also for its approach