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The impact of the 2008 economic crisis on substance use patterns in the countries of the European Union

Author

Listed:
  • Dom, Geert
  • Samochowiec, Jerzy
  • Evans-Lacko, Sara
  • Wahlbeck, Kristian
  • Van Hal, Guido
  • McDaid, David

Abstract

Background: From 2008 on, a severe economic crisis (EC) has characterized the European Union (E.U.). However, changes in substance use behavioral patterns as a result of the economic crisis in Europe, have been poorly reflected upon, and underlying mechanisms remain to be identified; Methods: In this review we explore and systematize the available data on the effect of the 2008 economic crisis on patterns of substance use and related disorders, within the E.U. countries; Results: The results show that effects of the recession need to be differentiated. A number of studies point to reductions in population’s overall substance use. In contrast, an increase in harmful use and negative effects is found within specific subgroups within the society. Risk factors include job-loss and long-term unemployment, and pre-existing vulnerabilities. Finally, our findings point to differences between types of substances in their response on economic crisis periods; Conclusions: the effects of the 2008 economic crisis on substance use patterns within countries of the European Union are two-sided. Next to a reduction in a population’s overall substance use, a number of vulnerable subgroups experience serious negative effects. These groups are in need of specific attention and support, given that there is a real risk that they will continue to suffer negative health effects long after the economic downfall has formally been ended.

Suggested Citation

  • Dom, Geert & Samochowiec, Jerzy & Evans-Lacko, Sara & Wahlbeck, Kristian & Van Hal, Guido & McDaid, David, 2016. "The impact of the 2008 economic crisis on substance use patterns in the countries of the European Union," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 65068, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
  • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:65068
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiao Hu & Yang Wang & Jidong Huang & Rong Zheng, 2019. "Cigarette Affordability and Cigarette Consumption among Adult and Elderly Chinese Smokers: Evidence from A Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Jo�o Rebelo & Ra�l Comp�s & Samuel Faria & T�nia Gon�alves & Vicente Pinilla & Katrin Sim�n-Elorz, 2021. "Wine consumption frequency during lockdown in the Iberian markets," Documentos de Trabajo dt2021-02, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad de Zaragoza.
    3. Heide Busse & Christoph Buck & Christiane Stock & Hajo Zeeb & Claudia R. Pischke & Paula Mayara Matos Fialho & Claus Wendt & Stefanie Maria Helmer, 2021. "Engagement in Health Risk Behaviours before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in German University Students: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, February.
    4. Vandoros, Sotiris & Avendano, Mauricio & Kawachi, Ichiro, 2019. "The association between economic uncertainty and suicide in the short-run," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 403-410.
    5. Amanda Ritchie & Marianne Hrabok & Ogechi Igwe & Joy Omeje & Olurotimi Ogunsina & Lorella Ambrosano & Sandra Corbett & Michal Juhás & Vincent IO Agyapong, 2018. "Impact of oil recession on community mental health service utilization in an oil sands mining region in Canada," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 64(6), pages 563-569, September.
    6. Drydakis, Nick, 2021. "Social Rejection, Family Acceptance, Economic Recession and Physical and Mental Health of Sexual Minorities," GLO Discussion Paper Series 936, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    7. Giorgio Mattei & Roberto De Vogli & Silvia Ferrari & Luca Pingani & Marco Rigatelli & Gian Maria Galeazzi, 2017. "Impact of the economic crisis on health-related behaviors in Italy," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 63(7), pages 649-656, November.
    8. Balbo, Nicoletta & Carapella, Piergiorgio & Toffolutti, Veronica, 2020. "Trends in the use of mind-altering drugs among European adolescents during the Great Recession," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(5), pages 568-574.
    9. Ioannis Vardopoulos & Sophia Ioannides & Marios Georgiou & Irene Voukkali & Luca Salvati & Yannis E. Doukas, 2023. "Shaping Sustainable Cities: A Long-Term GIS-Emanated Spatial Analysis of Settlement Growth and Planning in a Coastal Mediterranean European City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-24, July.
    10. Toni P. Miles & Changle Li & M. Mahmud Khan & Rana Bayakly & Deborah Carr, 2023. "Estimating Prevalence of Bereavement, Its Contribution to Risk for Binge Drinking, and Other High-Risk Health States in a State Population Survey, 2019 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Surv," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-15, May.
    11. Drydakis, Nick, 2023. "Health Inequalities among People Experiencing Food Insecurity. An Intersectional Approach," IZA Discussion Papers 16677, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    12. Carme Borrell & Laia Palència & Lucia Bosakova & Mercè Gotsens & Joana Morrison & Claudia Costa & Dagmar Dzurova & Patrick Deboosere & Michala Lustigova & Marc Marí-Dell’Olmo & Sophia Rodopoulou & Pau, 2021. "Socioeconomic Inequalities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Cirrhosis Mortality in European Urban Areas before and after the Onset of the 2008 Economic Recession," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-11, August.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    economic crisis; European Union; substance use; alcohol; drugs; nicotine;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N0 - Economic History - - General

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