Perceptions of the Seriousness of Different Addictive Behaviors in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: Societal beliefs about the seriousness of different addictions were assessed in the United Kingdom (UK). Methods: An online panel, conducted in 2021 and sampled to be representative of the UK general population 18 years and over (N = 1499), was conducted and asked participants their views regarding the seriousness of different societal problems, including various addictive behaviors. Results: Cannabis was ranked as the least serious of the addictive behaviors. Other illicit drug use (cocaine, amphetamine, heroin) was rated as the most serious of addictive behaviors. None of the addictive behaviors were rated as being as serious a problem to society as environmental damage, violent crime, poverty, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Ratings of cannabis use were not as expected and stand in contrast to the current UK policy on cannabis use. In addition, the UK policy on alcohol consumption contrasts with societal concerns about alcohol use.

Keywords:

• Alcohol
• tobacco
• medical drugs
• gambling
• illicit drugs
• attitudes’ epidemiological surveys
• United Kingdom

Acknowledgements

John Cunningham is supported by the Nat & Loretta Rothschild Chair in Addictions Treatment & Recovery Studies.

Author contributions

Both authors have made an intellectual contribution to this research. JAC is the principal investigator, with overall responsibility for the project. He conceived the study and oversaw all aspects of the project. Both authors have contributed to the manuscript drafting process, have read, and approved the final manuscript.

Ethical approval

The study received ethics approval from the REB of King’s College London. As this was an anonymous online panel survey, participants provided consent to participate by checking that they agreed to complete the study after reading an information sheet describing the research.

Disclosure statement

None to declare.

Data availability statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for the 2021 survey was provided as part of a Nat & Loretta Rothschild Chair in Addictions Treatment & Recovery Studies awarded to John Cunningham.