Insights into the Experiences of Persons with Substance Use Disorders During COVID-19 Lockdown in Lagos, Nigeria: A Qualitative Investigation.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the consumption of illicit drugs among Persons with Substance Use Disorders in Lagos, Nigeria.

METHODS

Using convenience sampling, 25 participants, who use different substances consented to participate in the study. Data was collected using in-depth interview guide and thematically analysed using NVivo 12 Plus.

FINDINGS

The findings show that activities of celebrities on social media were motivation for use. There was an increase in the consumption of illicit drugs during the COVID-19 lockdown period among the participants. Participants were able to purchase illicit drugs from street vendors despite the lockdown restriction, while others bought from online retailers - the social media platforms. Participants reported an increase in the price of substances and a reduction in their quantity and quality during the lockdown which may likely account for the increase in consumption reported.

CONCLUSION

The lockdown, though used in curtailing the spread of COVID-19, had an unintended increase in the consumption of illicit drugs suggesting that drug markets can be resilient and adaptive during global crises.