Substance Use Disorders and Breakthrough Covid-19 Infections

A study conducted by researchers at Case Western University and the United States’ National Institute on Drug Abuse have found that individuals with substance use disorders are more likely to experience breakthrough Covid-19 infections than those who don’t.

Breakthrough infections are cases wherein individuals who are already vaccinated for Covid-19 still contract the disease.

Published in the World Psychiatry journal, the study analyzed data and health records of over 30,000 vaccinated individuals in the US who are suffering from a form of substance use disorder (or SUD).

They compared the data to that of around 580,000 vaccinated persons who are not suffering from SUD, and found that 7 percent of vaccinated persons with SUD conditions contracted the virus after they were vaccinated. Around 3.6 percent of vaccinated non-SUD persons contracted the disease.

The reseachers looked at data that was recorded between December 1, 2020 to August 14, 2021. They found that the hospitalization rate of breakthrough Covid-19 infections among vaccinated persons with SUD conditions was higher than non-SUD persons at 22.5 percent, and that the progression of the outcome of a breakthrough infection was higher for the same group.

Infection rates pertaining to substances are varied according to the study. Marijuana users are at a 7.8 percent risk of getting breakthrough infections, while the infection rate of cocaine users was found to be at 7.7 percent. Those with alcohol problems were found to be at a 7.2 percent risk, while those who use tobacco are at a 6.8 percent risk for breakthrough Covid-19 infections.

The researchers note that their findings don’t undermine the effectivity of Covid-19 vaccines, but stresses that the higher incidence of breakthrough Covid-19 infections among those with SUD conditions is likely caused by health concerns that are associated with their conditions.