COVID-19 and addiction: A comparison between substance use disorder patients and gamblers

Background: The lockdown Covid-19 pandemic determined lots of clinical and socio-economics consequences. The pre-sent study aims to investigating how the lockdown period may have influenced the treatment of patients with a diagnosis of dependence disorder(s). Methods: The study was conducted by collecting social and clinical data referring to patients treated in a Unit of the Addiction Service (SerD), within the Local Health Authority of Rome (ASL Rome 1). The sample consisted of 81 outpatients, divided into 38 patients affected by a Gambling Disorders (GD) and 43 patients suffering from a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), according to criteria set out in the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-5). Differences between these groups were calculated using the Chi-squared and Mann–Whitney U tests. The cut-off point for statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Results: The results revealed a significant difference (p <0.05) between SUD and GD patients, with respect to the following variables: age, educational level, frequency of treatment, dual disorder clinical picture and post-lockdown abstinence. Moreover, the post-lockdown abstinence proved to be significantly cor-related with the following variables: age, occupational condition, and abstinence during the lockdown. Conclusions: The study highlighted the fact that patients affected by SUD had greater difficulties in maintaining abstinence than those who suffered from a GD. In particular, from our sample it may be hypothesized that the maturative/cognitive tools linked to older age, employment status and a state of abstinence recorded during the lockdown period function as protective factors with respect to possible relapses.