1. agoodpoop
  2. Strange things that people get addicted to

Strange things that people get addicted to

By chrisdrudge on January 7, 2008.

Etter JF. Addiction to the nicotine gum in never smokers. BMC Public Health. 2007 Jul 17;7:159.

What, got tired of chewing regular gum? Nothing like paying more for nicotine-laced candy that you have to buy at a drug store and follow directions to use properly, no sir.

---

DeFuentes-Merillas L, Koeter MW, Bethlehem J, Schippers GM, VanDenBrink W. Are scratchcards addictive? The prevalence of pathological scratchcard gambling among adult scratchcard buyers in the Netherlands. Addiction. 2003 Jun;98(6):725-31.

A nation in which marijuana is legal has enough people addicted to playing Crossword scratch games that a bunch of scientists wrote a big paper on it. Coincidence? I think not.

---

Blanton A. Nitrous oxide abuse: dentistry's unique addiction. J Tenn Dent Assoc. 2006 Fall;86(4):30-1. No abstract available.

Unique? Apparently the author didn't live through the '60s or '70s. Read Fear and Loathing or a Grateful Dead biography already.

---

Lee O, Shin M. Addictive consumption of avatars in cyberspace. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2004 Aug;7(4):417-20.

Aw, come on Korean teenagers. Avatar consumption? Just drink excessively and abuse illicit substances like North American teenagers do.

Tags
Brain Stuff

More like this

best science blog name ever

Not only a fantastic blog name, but great content as well.

A nation in which marijuana is legal has enough people addicted to playing Crossword scratch games that a bunch of scientists wrote a big paper on it. Coincidence? I think not.

Indeed, perhaps we are well-equipped to study addiction because we recognize that addiction is a wide-spread phenomenon amongst certain groups? (And no, not everyone is addicted to or even using marijuana in holland, sorry to disappoint some of your readers who are hoping to visit soon...) So wide spread indeed that certain drugs are legal and available vitually everywhere the world over: coffee, alcohol, over the counter medicines, (often state-sponsored) gambling etc. Disclaimer: I put in etc because I can't think of anything else right now but I'm sure there are more examples to be found.

CONCLUSION: Scratchcards have a very low addiction potential among adults in the Netherlands.

Scratch cards are ubiquitous in small Dutch convenience and tobacco stores, given the highly disruptive consequences of gambling addiction on people's personal lives isn't it good to know there's not much to worry about?

Personal anecdote: I once had a girlfriend whose previous partner was addicted to gambling (slot machines and the like). This girl had deep trust issues because of this and while this wasn't the cause of our break-up the start of our relationship was still a hard time for her (and me) because of that.

'60s or '70s? Hell, Blanton apparently didn't live through middle school. Either that, or he did too many Whip-its to remember.

By Stinky Wizzleteats (not verified) on 07 Jan 2008 #permalink

I'm curious if you are arguing that the addictive qualities of marijuana are on par with gambling addiction?

The one about the Netherlands just doesn't quite add up..

Blanton A. Nitrous oxide abuse: dentistry's unique addiction. J Tenn Dent Assoc. 2006 Fall;86(4):30-1. No abstract available.

Unique? Apparently the author didn't live through the '60s or '70s. Read Fear and Loathing or a Grateful Dead biography already.

I wondered why my dentist is always laughing his head off and has those glazed over eyes every time I stop in. LOL!
Dave Briggs :~)

Well, I always thought that nicotine gum was a prescription only item for some reason. I just see it's not. I guess I don't get around much, at least not around tobacco aisles I guess. I guess we all have our issues.