The restrictions that were imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in patterns of substance use by young adolescents to less alcohol use and increased use and misuse of nicotine and prescription drugs, suggest data from over 7000 youth aged 10-14 years.

In a prospective, community-based cohort study, a three-wave evaluation of substance use was done from May through August last year. Researchers reviewed prepandemic assessments from 2018 to 2019. The study subjects included 7842 adolescents initially part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study at age 9-10 years. Participants were required to complete three online surveys during the study period. The overall prevalence of substance use among young adolescents was found to be similar for the prepandemic and pandemic periods. Fewer participants reported using alcohol, while more reported using nicotine or misusing prescription drugs. Across all three survey periods, 7.4% of the respondents reported any substance use, 3.4% reported ever using alcohol, while 3.2% reported ever using nicotine… (Medscape)