The current COVID-19 pandemic is a very worrying time for everyone. Not only can the threat of (potential) exposure to the virus cause concern, distress and anxiety to individuals, but also the measures put in place to try and deal with it, e.g. lockdown, quarantine, physical distancing/isolation (staying at home), and social distancing. Such responses by governments pose concerns in terms of mental health, including increasing distress, anxiety and worry, which, in turn, may create a breeding ground for the onset, recurrence and/or worsening of psychoactive substance use (including nicotine). Emerging anecdotal information and results from some initial surveys indicate that there are changes in nicotine and other drug use patterns, which may lead to increased harms and risky behaviours.

The current international situation is very challenging to every individual worldwide, but it provides researchers with a unique opportunity. Indeed, it can be regarded as a ‘natural experiment’ (a set of circumstances which are outside the control of the researchers). To take advantage of and benefit from these unusual conditions, a research project is being conducted by members of the Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse & Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit (https://www.herts.ac.uk/research/centres/centre-for-health-services-clinical-research/psychopharmacology,-drug-misuse-and-novel-psychoactive-substances), which is part of the Centre for Health Services and Clinical Research)  at the University of Hertfordshire (United Kingdom), to understand more fully how individuals are being affected by this pandemic. The information being collected by this survey  will enable the Research Unit to design interventions and information to reduce harms from psychoactive substances.

The survey

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic and responses to it are having on the supply and use of psychoactive substances(including tobacco and tobacco products) from the consumers’ perspective.

Understanding and sharing information on the consequences of COVID-19 and measures being taken on harms arising from  possibly reduced access to advice and treatment, and how services have adapted as a response may help services improve their current and future responses.

The results of this study will allow us to identify the experiences of this specific population. In turn,  this will provide an understanding of what measures may be needed to be put in place to inform and protect consumers during and after the current outbreak and any future resurgence, and in other emergency situations that could arise in the future.

Invitation to participate

Therefore, we invite you to complete this online questionnaire that will take about 25 minutes to complete. You will be asked to express your opinions and share your experiences regarding: the sourcing and use of psychoactive substances (in this instance nicotine); information, advice and support needed because of psychoactive substances use; and life situations you are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Informed Consent

Purpose:

The main purpose of this study is to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on patterns of psychoactive substances supply and use. For a comprehensive picture we need information from people who use such substances.

Participants:

You can participate in this survey if you are aged 18 or over.

Reasons for taking part in the study:

The information gathered from this study will be used to input into future responses to COVID-19 and similar emergency situations.

Participants will be asked to provide information about their use of psychoactive substances.* However, the survey is completely anonymous, no information that could identify you will be collected, and the data are confidential.

Participant Rights:

Participation in this project is completely voluntary. If at any time you wish to discontinue the activity, you may do so.

* The answers that you provide about your psychoactive substances use are important to this study’s success. Your contribution can be very important for the development of measures to protect people using psychoactive substances in this particularly unique situation.

Some questions are personal or concern behavior which may be against some social rules or the law. We hope that you will answer all the questions and answer them truthfully. There are no right or wrong answers.  Remember that your answers are ANONYMOUS.

Privacy, confidentiality, data protection

The study is completely anonymous, although there are a few general questions about your general situation to help us understand how different groups of people who use psychoactive substances have been affected by COVID-19 restrictions and how services have responded. Your name or sensitive data will never be asked for when filling out this online form. All other information (including gender, age, geographical area of residence) is confidential, will be treated completely anonymously, in compliance with relevant privacy and data protection laws. No tokens (cookies) are used. The information will not be shared with anyone outside the research team. We will publish the aggregated results but no specific information about you or other participants will be included.