So – alcohol, cigarettes, technology and marijuana are all in a poll…
Cigar smoking is thought to have started with the Mayans. Cigarettes, or mini cigars, grew out of the cigar form. The term ‘cigarette’ was invented in France in 1830, and boy, did it catch fire. From the 1950s to the early 80s, cigerettes were the most popular and tobacco companies were trusted. Since then, well, use has dropped but profits are still up. In fact, while smoking as somewhat fallen out of favor, the world’s six largest cigarette manufacturers made profits (before income taxes) of more than $55 billion USD.
The American Psychiatric Organization (APA) is trying to figure out what people think to help them with their addictions. People were asked their opinions on cigarettes, marijuana, alcohol, technology and more.
“It is clear that we have gotten the message through that cigarettes are dangerous and addictive,” said APA President Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A. “We can help prevent more Americans from other potentially addictive behaviors, like drinking alcohol and technology use. We can also make sure that people know about our current safe and effective treatments for both substance use disorders and the behavioral addictions. Addiction treatment works.”
In the poll marijuana is viewed as less addictive and more safe. As cannabis is becoming legal in more areas and benefits of medical marijuana are being accepted by the health community, the public is “chilling out” about marijuana. Another fascinating reveal of the data is on a daily basis, more people use marijuana (13%) than alcohol (7%).
Opioids are used daily by 4% and are viewed as dangerous as cigarettes and alcohol. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the FDA, but black market versions hit the streets in force. Fentanyl use has sprung up in small towns and big cities. Downtowns including San Francisco and Seattle are collapsing with wide spread opioid abuse causing havoc in the streets and neighborhoods. Seattle City Council, with help from the Mayor’s office voted 5-4 to rejected making it hard drugs illegal.
A big surprise of the survey is how poorly technology faired. Tech was viewed as somewhat safe but definitely addictive (75%). The APA has to figure out a new way to combat the new since it has caused mental health issues, especially for school age kids. iPhones, social media and streaming continuing to draw in eyes and brains.
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The APA is launching a public awareness initiative on addiction and substance use disorders that will last throughout the year, beginning this month with vaping, focusing on opioids later in the summer, alcohol in the winter, and technology next spring.
