Am J Psychiatry November 2020 PMID 33135468

Addiction as a Coping Response: Hyperkatifeia, Deaths of Despair, and COVID-19.

George F Koob, Patricia Powell, Aaron White

Mentions

29
Peak: 13 in Nov 2020
across 4 sources since Nov 2020

Extended reach

68,687
potential audience

Total likes

33

Video views

351

Mentions per month

Nov 2020 – Apr 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter17 posts
  • News8 articles
  • Bluesky2 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall discourse emphasizes the significance of emotional distress, as seen in references to hyperkatifeia and the rising deaths of despair, with some posts questioning societal responses such as homelessness policies, thereby showing a strong connection to the article's themes and advocating for deeper understanding and action.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions align with the article’s framing of addiction as a coping mechanism linked to emotional distress, especially highlighting hyperkatifeia and social factors.

InterestHigh interest

Participants demonstrate high interest by referencing the research, introducing new terms like hyperkatifeia, and citing specific statistics on alcohol-related health issues.

EngagementHigh engagement

Several posts actively interpret and elaborate on the findings, with some debating societal responses and reflecting on COVID-19’s impact, indicating deep engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions focus on the profound influence of emotional pain and societal factors in addiction, suggesting these findings could shape future research and policy.

Abstract in brief

  • Addiction can develop as a way for individuals to cope with emotional pain and stress.
  • Hyperkatifeia refers to a heightened sensitivity to negative emotional states, which can reinforce addictive behaviors.
  • The rise in deaths of despair and the impact of COVID-19 highlight the link between mental health, substance abuse, and societal challenges during the pandemic.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
SergeAhmed
@SergeAhmed · X

Koob et al. explore how using substances to cope with the emotional strain of social isolation and financial uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic could contribute to deaths of despair. https://t.co/tkDayS7NCs

Nov 4, 2020 · 14 likes · 6 shares · 3,956 followers View post →
Dianova Portugal
@dianovaportugal · X

#Addiction as a coping response: deaths of despair #COVID19 An individual who struggles with addiction can be tempted to return to drug use to reduce misery that is caused by use of the drug itself https://t.co/pFfWUpopUh @AlcoholAuthor @DrugAlcoholDep @SICAD_Portugal https://t.co/04goJaBKLZ

Nov 2, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 2,593 followers View post →
More Than Rehab
@DrugRehabInTX · X

A recent article in the American Journal of Psychiatry looks into the conceptual framework of addiction and the affects of social isolation with the pandemic on alcohol and drug #addiction. https://t.co/bUo0CZf8Vy

Nov 4, 2020 · 2 likes · 140 followers View post →
George Dawson
@dawso007 · X

Addiction as a Coping Response: Hyperkatifeia, Deaths of Despair, and COVID-19 | American Journal of Psychiatry https://t.co/CXvPBdN2ef

Nov 22, 2020 · 1 like · 1 share · 7,821 followers View post →
Journals of The American Psychiatric Association
@APAPubJournals · X

NIAAA leaders, in their overview of addiction, emphasize the negative affect state "hyperkatifeia" as a major driver of addictive behavior and relapse. Learn More: https://t.co/NNAoMTAh4v https://t.co/Fx6x3hU2Sl

Nov 12, 2020 · 11,474 followers View post →
Jibran Khokhar
@DrJKhokhar · X

RT @SergeAhmed: Koob et al. explore how using substances to cope with the emotional strain of social isolation and financial uncertainty du…

Nov 4, 2020 · 6 shares · 10,834 followers View post →

All mentions

CaptJHM
@captjhm.bsky.social · Bluesky

“For other individuals who are already experiencing AUD, the hyperkatifeia of alcohol and other drug withdrawal extends long past the acute physical (often somatic) manifestations of withdrawal and perpetuates AUD.” doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20091375 #AddictionResearch

Apr 23, 2025 View post →
CaptJHM
@captjhm.bsky.social · Bluesky

“Deaths in the United States that involve alcohol are increasing, having doubled from 1999 to 2017 (53, 54), as are rates of alcohol-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations.” doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20091375 #AddictionResearch

Apr 23, 2025 View post →
annafoat
@annafoat · X

As a disease of despair https://t.co/BOj29Byudg Your solution to encampments is to create more homelessness by taking away the “home” they have. https://t.co/eri1moN05J Imagine someone denying you a sandwich and a water. I’d despair. https://t.co/dvrBFLJpkI

Jun 30, 2024 · 2,558 followers View post →
David Tian 田聪, MD, MPP
@DCTian · X

See this open-access article for more: https://t.co/UJ4BbgAy7G

Sep 1, 2021 · 1,013 followers View post →
Andrey Ostrovsky, MD, FAAP
@AndreyOstrovsky · X

Learned a new term today, hyperkatifeia: hypersensitivity to emotional distress in context of substance use disorder...can be seen with long-term use of the drug. https://t.co/pQnXArtAAU

May 12, 2021 · 8,849 followers View post →
SURE MatCH (Maternal & Child Health) Group
@RU_SUREMatCH · X

Addiction as a Coping Response: Hyperkatifeia, Deaths of Despair, and COVID-19 https://t.co/aSU25qgCyB

Jan 26, 2021 · 397 followers View post →
George Dawson
@dawso007 · X

RT @dawso007: Addiction as a Coping Response: Hyperkatifeia, Deaths of Despair, and COVID-19 | American Journal of Psychiatry https://t.co/…

Nov 23, 2020 · 1 share · 7,821 followers View post →
George Dawson
@dawso007 · X

Addiction as a Coping Response: Hyperkatifeia, Deaths of Despair, and COVID-19 | American Journal of Psychiatry https://t.co/CXvPBdN2ef

Nov 22, 2020 · 1 like · 1 share · 7,821 followers View post →
Journals of The American Psychiatric Association
@APAPubJournals · X

NIAAA leaders, in their overview of addiction, emphasize the negative affect state "hyperkatifeia" as a major driver of addictive behavior and relapse. Learn More: https://t.co/NNAoMTAh4v https://t.co/Fx6x3hU2Sl

Nov 12, 2020 · 11,474 followers View post →
jes
@springbreak1944 · X

"A framework for studying addiction, a 3 stage cycle—intoxication, negative affect, & preoccupation—provides a starting point for exploring...the intersection between alcohol addiction, deaths of despair and social isolation that are caused by the COVID19" https://t.co/TTfZ82BzIZ

Nov 10, 2020 · 1,124 followers View post →
Sierra Simpson
@SierraSimpson · X

RT @SergeAhmed: Koob et al. explore how using substances to cope with the emotional strain of social isolation and financial uncertainty du…

Nov 4, 2020 · 6 shares · 3,113 followers View post →
dr_sjsimmons
@dr_sjsimmons · X

RT @SergeAhmed: Koob et al. explore how using substances to cope with the emotional strain of social isolation and financial uncertainty du…

Nov 4, 2020 · 6 shares · 1,105 followers View post →
Armand Chatard
@armand_chatard · X

RT @SergeAhmed: Koob et al. explore how using substances to cope with the emotional strain of social isolation and financial uncertainty du…

Nov 4, 2020 · 6 shares · 597 followers View post →
Jibran Khokhar
@DrJKhokhar · X

RT @SergeAhmed: Koob et al. explore how using substances to cope with the emotional strain of social isolation and financial uncertainty du…

Nov 4, 2020 · 6 shares · 10,834 followers View post →
John Mantsch
@mantschjr · X

RT @SergeAhmed: Koob et al. explore how using substances to cope with the emotional strain of social isolation and financial uncertainty du…

Nov 4, 2020 · 6 shares · 1,575 followers View post →
SergeAhmed
@SergeAhmed · X

Koob et al. explore how using substances to cope with the emotional strain of social isolation and financial uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic could contribute to deaths of despair. https://t.co/tkDayS7NCs

Nov 4, 2020 · 14 likes · 6 shares · 3,956 followers View post →
More Than Rehab
@DrugRehabInTX · X

A recent article in the American Journal of Psychiatry looks into the conceptual framework of addiction and the affects of social isolation with the pandemic on alcohol and drug #addiction. https://t.co/bUo0CZf8Vy

Nov 4, 2020 · 2 likes · 140 followers View post →
Alcohol & Alcoholism
@AlcoholAuthor · X

RT @dianovaportugal: #Addiction as a coping response: deaths of despair #COVID19 An individual who struggles with addiction can be tempted…

Nov 2, 2020 · 1 share · 3,287 followers View post →
Dianova Portugal
@dianovaportugal · X

#Addiction as a coping response: deaths of despair #COVID19 An individual who struggles with addiction can be tempted to return to drug use to reduce misery that is caused by use of the drug itself https://t.co/pFfWUpopUh @AlcoholAuthor @DrugAlcoholDep @SICAD_Portugal https://t.co/04goJaBKLZ

Nov 2, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 2,593 followers View post →