Table 1.
Patients’ (n = 402) demographic information, substance use history, and OAT history.
| Demographics | N | Percentage | |
| Age (n = 402) | 18-29 | 117 | 29% |
| 30-44 | 242 | 60% | |
| 45-59 | 42 | 11% | |
| Identify as (n = 402) | Male | 217 | 54% |
| Female | 179 | 44% | |
| Gender fluid, gender queer, non-binary, or intersex | 6 | 2% | |
| Ethnic/Racial Background (n = 402) | White - European or North American | 314 | 78% |
| Asian - East or South East | 9 | 2% | |
| Black - African, Caribbean, or North American | 43 | 11% | |
| First Nations, Inuit, or Metis | 28 | 7% | |
| Latin American | 6 | 1% | |
| Mixed heritage | 1 | <1% | |
| Prefer not to respond | 1 | <1% | |
| Substance use during the pandemic | N | Percentage | |
| Since COVID-19 (March 2020), has your opioid use: (n = 402) | Increased | 185 | 46% |
| Decreased | 86 | 21% | |
| Not changed | 121 | 30% | |
| Did not respond | 10 | 3% | |
| Have you ever used any opioids by injection/needles? (n = 402) | Never | 122 | 30% |
| Yes, in the past 3 months | 220 | 55% | |
| Yes, but not in the past 3 months | 58 | 14% | |
| Did not respond | 2 | 1% | |
| Types of opioids used in the 30 days prior to the survey: (n = 402) | Hydromorphone | 165 | 41% |
| Oxycodone | 148 | 37% | |
| Morphine | 119 | 30% | |
| Codeine | 67 | 17% | |
| Fentanyl | 58 | 15% | |
| Heroin | 58 | 15% | |
| Not listed | 23 | 6% | |
| Frequency of substance use in 30 days prior: | Never n (%) | Once or twice n (%) | Weekly or more frequently n (%) |
| Cannabis (n = 400) | 265 (66%) | 80 (20%) | 55 (14%) |
| Cocaine (n = 399) | 302 (76%) | 54 (13%) | 43 (11%) |
| Amphetamine type stimulants (n = 399) | 319 (80%) | 40 (10%) | 40 (10%) |
| Inhalants (n = 399) | 335 (84%) | 36 (9%) | 28 (7%) |
| Sedatives or sleeping pills (n = 399) | 279 (70%) | 68 (17%) | 52 (13%) |
| Hallucinogens (n = 400) | 338 (85%) | 34 (9%) | 28 (6%) |
| Opioids (n = 401) | 232 (58%) | 67 (17%) | 102 (25%) |
| Alcohol (n = 400) | 157 (39%) | 61 (15%) | 182 (46%) |
| Tobacco (n = 400) | 78 (20%) | 52 (13%) | 270 (67%) |
| OAT Care | N | Percentage | |
| When did you start OAT? (n = 402) | 0-2 months ago | 18 | 5% |
| 2-6 months ago | 99 | 25% | |
| 6-12 months ago | 132 | 33% | |
| 1-2 years ago | 95 | 24% | |
| 2-5 years ago | 45 | 11% | |
| 5+ years ago | 13 | 3% | |
| Which type of OAT are you on? (n = 402) | Methadone | 122 | 30% |
| Buprenorphine | 91 | 23% | |
| Slow release oral morphine | 84 | 21% | |
| Depot buprenorphine | 64 | 16% | |
| Multiple OAT types | 41 | 10% | |
Note: All patients with usable data (i.e., living in Ontario, Canada, prescribed OAT, 18 years or older, and answered at least one question regarding their OAT care during the pandemic) were included.