Use of psychoactive substances by medicine students during the coronavirus pandemic

Abstract

Aim: o describe the consumption of psychoactive substances used by medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Descriptive, retrospective study, with a quantitative approach, in medical students enrolled in the clinical cycle of the course of a private university in the west of Paraná. Data collection took place through a virtual questionnaire applied in February and March. Result: 82 students participated and the level of consumption of psychoactive substances consumed was categorized into six levels of consumption: null; very low; low; moderate; tall and very tall. 22% of students were infected with the coronavirus; 56% rated their mental health as excellent and good; there was a 4% increase in very high alcohol consumption; the smoking habit increased by 3% in very high consumption; caffeine consumption increased by 2% to the very high level; the use of anxiolytic medication increased by 6% at the high level and 1% at the very high level; the use of antidepressants increased 5% to the very high level; there was an increase in sleep inducers to 2% in high consumption and 4% in very high consumption; cocaine use was considered very low before social isolation and during social isolation as low consumption. 7% stopped using cannabis during social isolation. Conclusion: There was an increase in the consumption of psychoactive substances at different levels, this increase needs to be monitored in order to monitor and evaluate the effects of their use.