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Addiction specialist Keith Humphreys explains how the pandemic has affected three factors driving substance use — cues, comfort and convenience.
By Keith Humphreys
When COVID emerged and lockdowns started, I had 5 bottles of wine on my shelf, normally about a month’s supply. One year later, I still have one of those bottles left, albeit in dustier condition. Other Americans are having the reverse experience: a study of 6,000 adults found that average alcohol consumption had risen by 14% and the rate of heavy drinking was up even more.
Why is this bizarre and unpleasant “experiment” in which humanity is involuntarily enrolled (aka COVID-19) changing the ways that people consume alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other drugs? What can it teach us about the nature of substance use?
Consider three “Cs”: cues, comfort, and…
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Stanford Medicine – Medium
Published: 2021-02-23 21:48:00
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