While majorities in all groups reported using alcohol, there were some differences between substances used and income level. Middle income households in particular reported higher rates of drug use compared to other groups.
In fact, middle income households were:
- 95% more likely to use meth than lower income households and 116% more likely than high income households.
- 80% more likely to use prescription opioids and 145% more likely to use heroin or fentanyl than low income households. They were 19% more likely to use prescription opioids and 52% more likely to use heroin or fentanyl than high income households.
- 95% more likely to use prescription stimulants, like Adderall and Ritalin, than lower income and 16% more likely than high income households.
- 84% more likely to report using benzodiazepines, like Xanax and Ativan, than the lower income households and 26% more likely than high income households.
Across all households, stress, mental health symptoms and boredom were big drivers of substance use.
In the middle income households, a few other reasons stood out:
- Nearly 20% said they were physically dependent on a substance, compared to 9.68% of high income households and 10.20% of lower income households.
- 57% reported their substance use as recreational or social, compared to 47.31% of high income households and 44.49% of lower income households.
- 30% said substance use was part of their daily routine, compared to 25% of high income and 17% of lower income households.
As high unemployment rates persist and more employers, including middle level management, continue to make tough decisions about their workforce, unhealthy coping methods (like substance use) and adverse mental health impacts may be another one of COVID-19’s lasting legacies.
COVID-19 Impacts to Mental Health
All three income groups reported that COVID-19 has impacted their mental health. There were some slight variations in the symptoms reported:
- Low income households reported higher rates of depression/loneliness (70.5%) compared to the middle (68.5%) and higher (63.4%) income groups.
- The middle income group was 26% more likely to experience anger/agitation than the lower income household and 19% more likely than the high income households.
- All three reported sleep issues at similar rates.
Reports of anxiety/nervousness increased with income level:
- 87.32% of high income households
- 77.95% of middle income households
- 67.89% of low income households
While these symptoms were reported as new for the majority of all groups, the rate increased with income level:
- 74.65% of high income households
- 58.27% of middle income households
- 55.79% of lower income households
Of those for whom symptoms were not new, middle income households also said that their symptoms were more severe now than in the past at a higher rate (71.7%) than either of the other groups (both 44%). These results, including increases in substance use, demonstrate a need for mental health resources and healthy coping strategies in the South Florida community.
