“…The “fourth wave” of the opioid crisis (2019-present) and the overlapping COVID-19 pandemic likely affected alcohol use among individuals who use opioids. The fourth wave of the opioid crisis is characterized by opioid-stimulant polysubstance use 1 ; stimulants can mask alcohol’s sedative effects, 2 perhaps resulting in greater alcohol consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic has also amplified risks for increased alcohol use (eg, reduced access to substance use treatment services 3 and increased distress 4 ).…”
“…The “fourth wave” of the opioid crisis (2019-present) and the overlapping COVID-19 pandemic likely affected alcohol use among individuals who use opioids. The fourth wave of the opioid crisis is characterized by opioid-stimulant polysubstance use 1 ; stimulants can mask alcohol’s sedative effects, 2 perhaps resulting in greater alcohol consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic has also amplified risks for increased alcohol use (eg, reduced access to substance use treatment services 3 and increased distress 4 ).…”
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