By Americans say cannabis is far less dangerous than opioids, alcohol and tobacco. According to new research Conducted last week by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and Morning Consult. The findings are based on his 2,201 adult interviews conducted between April 20 and 22, 2023, with a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points, with six different substances and We analyze public opinion about the dangers and addictiveness of technology.
For cannabis, 38% said it was “very or somewhat unsafe.” In contrast, 84% of respondents said they thought cigarettes were unsafe. 64% believe alcohol is unsafe, 66% believe prescription opioids are unsafe, and 75% believe non-prescription opioids are unsafe. As a reminder of the public’s negative perception of vaping, 76% said he thinks vaping is unsafe. Technology will lose out in other categories (here I ironically say keep scrolling to find out), but people say it’s safer than cannabis, and it’s very or slightly dangerous. Only 23% responded, making it the only one. A category considered safer than marijuana.
The survey also analyzed public perceptions of addiction. In this category, in addition to technology, cannabis is recognized as less addictive than all the substances mentioned. 64% said cannabis was addictive. 87% said they were addicted to tobacco and 84% thought they were addicted to alcohol. Prescription opioids are considered 83%, but he drops to 74% for nonprescription opioids. 81% think he is addicted to vaping and 75% think technology is addictive.
“We have clearly received the message that tobacco is dangerous and addictive,” APA President Petros Levonis said in a press release. “We can help more Americans prevent other potentially addictive behaviors such as drinking alcohol and technology use.” It’s more addictive than that,” Levonis added.
However, even though science agrees addiction is a medical condition (look it up) This study A study published in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience found that 47% said their addiction stems from “personal weaknesses,” which provides insight into the stigma surrounding substance use disorders. Keep in mind that while cannabis is generally not considered physically addictive, other substances under investigation, such as opioids, are highly addictive due to their effects on the brain. Research confirms. For example, when people who are prescribed opioids after being injured in a car accident become addicted, it’s scientifically proven that it’s not a lack of ethics, but brain changes.
But Levounis said the survey could be helpful in providing insight into how best to educate the public. “It can also educate people about current safe and effective treatments for both substance use disorders and behavioral addictions,” he says. “Treatment for addiction works.”
And those with less regressive thoughts about the causes of addiction have higher numbers. Of those surveyed, 76% said addiction was a medical condition, 93% of those surveyed said substance use disorders were treatable, and 76% said the condition was preventable.
The survey also provides insight into the importance of raising awareness about the life-saving opioid antioverdose drug naloxone. Only 58% said they knew about naloxone, and only 35% said they knew how to access it if they needed it for an overdose. Naloxone can reverse an overdose, but only if used 30 to 90 minutes after the event is detected. As such, it’s something everyone should have on hand rather than looking for it when they discover an overdose. Considering that 71% of Americans in the study said they knew how to help someone struggling with addiction in their lives, one of the biggest lessons to be learned from the study It is clear that one of the is the importance of naloxone recognition.
