Infographic: Examining how changes in alcohol and cannabis consumption varied by experiences of stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact people across Canada. This includes increased feelings of isolation, stress and hopelessness, and greater barriers to accessing health and social supports. For many people, it also includes increased use of alcohol, cannabis and other substances. It’s okay not to be okay and it’s also okay to reach out for help.

Our findings

Alcohol and cannabis use changed among Canadians aged 15+ who were using these substances prior to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• 24% reported increased consumption of alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic
• 34% reported increased consumption of cannabis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Unmet needs among those who consume alcohol and cannabis

Unmet needs was measured using the following survey question: “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, was there ever a time when you felt that you needed help for your emotions, mental health or use of alcohol or drugs, but you didn’t receive it?”

Alcohol

Unmet needs were reported in a significantly higher proportion of males and females who reported increased alcohol consumption, compared to those who reported a decrease or no change.

Table 1: Prevalence (%) of unmet needs among those who reported changes in their alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic

Average change in alcohol consumption during COVID-19	Prevalence of males with unmet needs	Prevalence of females with unmet needs
Increased	31%	27%
Decreased or no change	8%	13%

Cannabis

Unmet needs were reported in a significantly higher proportion of females who reported increased consumption, when compared to males.

Table 2: Prevalence (%) of unmet needs among those who reported changes in their cannabis consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic

Average change in cannabis consumption during COVID-19	Prevalence of males with unmet needs	Prevalence of females with unmet needs
Increased	28% Table 2 Footnote E	53% Table 2 Footnote E
Decreased or no change	17%	23%
Table 2 Footnote E As per Statistics Canada’s quality guidelines for the Canadian Perspectives Survey Series, these estimates are of marginal quality and should be interpreted with caution. Table 2 Return to footnote E referrer

Self-stigma among those who consume alcohol and cannabis

What is self-stigma?

Self-stigma refers to the process when an individual internalizes negative societal attitudes and messages about their situation in life (e.g., substance use) and applies them to themselves. It may lead to low self-esteem and isolation. It can act as a barrier to seeking support, recovery and overall wellbeing.

Self-stigma was more prevalent among those who reported increased consumption of alcohol and cannabis during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to those who reported a decrease or no change.

Self-stigma was assessed based on strong or general agreement to the following two statements:

• “I find it embarrassing/uncomfortable to seek help/treatment for my alcohol/drug use”
• “I find it embarrassing/uncomfortable to tell friends/family about my alcohol/drug use”

Table 3: Prevalence (%) of self-stigma (“I find it embarrassing/uncomfortable to seek help/treatment for my alcohol/drug use”) among those who reported changes in their alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic

Average change in alcohol consumption during COVID-19	Prevalence of individuals experiencing self-stigma
Increased	36%
Decreased	15%

Table 4: Prevalence (%) of self-stigma (“I find it embarrassing/uncomfortable to tell friends/family about my alcohol/drug use”) among those who reported changes in their cannabis consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic

Average change in cannabis consumption during COVID-19	Prevalence of individuals experiencing self-stigma
Increased	42%
Decreased or no change	19%

Resources for help

You can support your friends and family members by letting them know they are not alone and that supports are available. If you are concerned about your substance use, reaching out for help is the first step towards wellness. Supports are available, including:

• The Wellness Together Canada online portal offers immediate, free and confidential substance use and mental health supports, in English and French, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all Canadians
• The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate and culturally competent mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Counselling is available in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut
• Kids Help Phone
• Get Help With Substance Use
• Mental health support: Get help
• COVID-19 Resources for parents and children

Notes

The analyses for this infographic were conducted using publicly available data from Statistics Canada’s “Canadian Perspectives Survey Series 6: Substance Use and Stigma during the Pandemic.” This survey was administered from January 25th-31st, 2021 to individuals aged 15 years and older in the ten Canadian provinces.

Proportions in figures do not add up to 100% as estimates for respondents who did not report experiencing unmet needs/self-stigma are not shown in the figures.

References

• Corrigan PW, Rao D. On the self-stigma of mental illness: stages, disclosure, and strategies for change. Can J Psychiatry. 2012 Aug;57(8):464-9. doi: 10.1177/070674371205700804.
• Government of Canada [Internet]. Stigma around drug use; 2021 [cited 2022 Jan 24]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/opioids/stigma.html#a4