Trends of incident stimulant use disorder diagnoses before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia (2013-2024): a population-based study - Summary - MDSpire

Trends of incident stimulant use disorder diagnoses before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia (2013-2024): a population-based study

  • By

  • Roshni Desai

  • Kevin Hu

  • Bin Zhao

  • Shania Au

  • Xuan Chen

  • Mallory Flynn

  • Mike Irvine

  • Hind Sbihi

  • Brooke Kinniburgh

  • Kali-Olt Sedgemore

  • Kirsten Marchand

  • Sofia Bartlett

  • Naveed Janjua

  • Alexis Crabtree

  • Heather Palis

  • May 7, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To analyze trends in incident stimulant use disorder (StUD) diagnoses in British Columbia before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Findings:
  • 38,217 people were diagnosed with incident StUD between January 1, 2013, and March 31, 2024.
  • The average diagnosis rate increased from 5.18 per 100,000 in the pre-pandemic period to 6.21 per 100,000 in the post-pandemic period, a 19.9% increase.
  • The increase in the slope of incident StUD diagnoses was not statistically significant.
Interpretation:

The study indicates a rising trend in StUD diagnoses post-COVID-19, but the increase lacks statistical significance, suggesting the need for more comprehensive data to understand the trends better.

Limitations:
  • The study relies on administrative health data, which may not capture all cases of StUD.
  • Potential biases in diagnosis reporting and access to healthcare services during the pandemic.
Conclusion:

Further research is needed to integrate diverse data sources to better understand the incidence and prevalence of StUD and to inform healthcare services for affected individuals.

Original Source(s)

Trends of incident stimulant use disorder diagnoses before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia (2013-2024): a population-based study

  • by Roshni Desai, Kevin Hu, Bin Zhao, Shania Au, Xuan Chen, Mallory Flynn, Mike Irvine, Hind Sbihi, Brooke Kinniburgh, Kali-Olt Sedgemore, Kirsten Marchand, Sofia Bartlett, Naveed Janjua, Alexis Crabtree, Heather Palis

  • May 7, 2026

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