Changes in addiction medicine with COVID-19 in Japan: Addiction behavior and government measures.

COVID-19 is a newly emerging infectious disease cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe conditions. COVID-19 threatens in many ways, and not just at the physical health. It also threatens the mental health of individuals and of whole societies. It makes the rising of concerns of widespread panic and increasing anxiety in individuals and society to the threat of the COVID-19 on many levels. Panic, anxiety, and stress have also been linked to the outbreaks This might be followed by anxiety-related behaviors, sleep disturbances, increasing consumption of substances, and overall lower perceived state of health. In Japan as well, the COVID 19 pandemic has had a significant social impact. Especially with regard to addiction treatment, it has brought about major changes in the therapeutic structure. Changes in treatment structure in Japan can be summarized in three points.1. Deterioration of mental symptoms due to difficulty in direct contact with people. 2. Deterioration of social withdrawal. 3. Difficulty in continuing to abstain due to restrictions on the activities of selfhelp groups. Because of the insufficient evidence, currently there is no concrete solution. Under the given current situation, it is essential to build a new lifestyle and treatment structure. As a result of the spread of coronavirus infections, Japan has reached a major turning point in the interpersonal support system. This presentation will describe the changes in addiction medicine caused by COVID-19 and the administrative response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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