A study investigated presumed differences in COVID-19 treatment outcomes between patients who are current cannabis users, excessive alcohol consumers, and methamphetamine (METH) users. The research team found no significant differences in treatment outcomes among current alcohol, METH, and cannabis users and published the results in the Journal of Cannabis Research,
The researchers analyzed the electronic medical records (EMR) of 122 COVID-19 patients. 32 patients currently used METH, 46 used cannabis, and 44 engaged in heavy alcohol use. They confirmed COVID-19 infection by positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test and confirmed current drug use by positive urine drug testing. They used multivariate linear regression models and fourth logistic regression models to assess the effect of substance use groups (METH, cannabis, or alcohol) on treatment outcome measures.
The study found no significant differences between drug groups regarding crucial SARS-CoV-2 outcomes. These outcomes included ICU admission, length of stay, the interval between the SARS-CoV-2 positive test and hospital discharge, delirium, intubation, and mortality after adjusting for covariates. About one-fifth (21.9% in METH users, 15.2% in cannabis users, and 20.5% in alcohol users) of all patients required ICU admission. As many as 37.5% of METH users, 23.9% of cannabis users, and 29.5% of alcohol users developed delirium (P = 0.4).
There were no significant differences between drug groups in COVID-19-specific medication requirements. Eight patients died within ten months of a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. Two patients from the METH group (6.3%), two patients from the cannabis group (4.3%), and four patients from the alcohol group (9.1%) died.
The results show that current METH, cannabis, and heavy alcohol users in this study have similar treatment outcomes and suffer from delirium and high mortality rates within the first-year post-COVID-19.
The study indicates a need for further research examining the rates and causes of post-COVID mortality among patients with substance use disorder in general and cannabis consumers.
Sources: Journal of Cannabis Research