The pandemic brought a rise in substance use with use of methamphetamine (MA) most commonly linked to overdoses. CBAM researchers and other UCLA colleagues assessed the relationship between the use of MA and preventive behaviors for COVID-19. Not surprisingly, they found that those who report using MA were significantly less likely to take measures to protect themselves from COVID, demonstrating how chronic use can be utilized as a marker for other health risk behaviors. Understanding the ways in which MA use intersects with psychosocial, behavioral, and biological factors of health is a crucial step toward improving efforts to encourage active involvement in behavioral prevention for future infectious diseases.

 

To read the article in its entirety, click here

About

CBAM is a multidisciplinary center that seeks to advance the prevention and treatment of chronic illnesses, especially in communities with health disparities. As part of the UCLA Department of Family Medicine, CBAM works at the intersection of academia and community with a focus on treating addictions and preventing the spread of HIV.

© The UCLA Center for Behavioral & Addiction Medicine (CBAM). All Rights Reserved.