Social media is as harmful as alcohol and drugs for millennials The word “addiction” brings to mind
alcohol and drugs. Yet, over the past 20 years, a new type of addiction has emerged: addiction to social media. It may not cause physical harms, such as those caused by tobacco and alcohol, but it has the potential to cause long-term damage to our emotions,
behaviour
and
relationships.
While the older generation – those born in the baby boom period shortly after World War II – had alcohol and drugs as their vice, the younger generation – the so-called millenials – have social media as theirs. The millennials, born between 1984 and 2005, have embraced the digital age, using technology to relax and interact with others.
109 Instagram
t
Tumblr
102 Snapchat
16 Twitter
86
Weed
YouTube
99
Alcohol
16
72 50% SALE
XBOX $
206
£
Û
￥
Money
PlayStation
Heroin
BIG SALE
Shopping
The 2010 US Surgeon General’s report states that “nicotine is the key chemical compound that causes and sustains the powerful addicting effects of commercial tobacco products.” This report followed a landmark review published in 1988 which had also concluded that cigarettes and other forms of tobacco are addictive and nicotine is the drug in tobacco that causes addiction. The Royal College of Physicians’ 2000 report on nicotine addiction states that “it is reasonable to conclude that nico-
through tobacco smoke should be regarded as an addictive drug, and tobacco use as the means of self-administration” and concludes that: “Cigarettes are highly efficient nicotine delivery devices and are as addictive as drugs such as heroin or cocaine.” Paradoxically, while nicotine is a stimulant drug, effects of both stimulation and relaxation may be felt. The mental and physical state of the smoker, and the situation in which smoking occurs, can influence the way in which a particular cigarette will affect psychological perceptions. The addictive effect of nicotine is linked to its capacity to trigger the release of dopamine - a chemical in the brain that is associated with feelings of pleasure.
NICOTINE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTONS