Addiction and cultural environment: perceptions for dependence throughout centuries

Abstract

Since prehistoric times, man began to discover the properties of plants. As archaeological research shows, in every culture plants were cultivated for many purposes: pain relief, religious rituals, relaxation and entertainment. Some of them were attributed supernatural or healing properties depending on the beliefs that prevailed in each era and culture. However, products made from these plants such as alcoholic beverages and psychoactive substances have been shown to be addictive and harmful to health. It has also been observed since ancient times that people also developed addiction to behaviors such as gambling. Addiction is a phenomenon that has been studied in various fields such as science, art and philosophy. People resort to using legal and illegal substances to get relief from their problems or to relax from the pressures of everyday life. The present study is based on the systematic bibliographic review of Greek and foreign literature, with a view to highlight the effect of the cultural environment in the use of psychoactive substances, alcohol and addictive behaviors. The search was made through reliable electronic data bases in books, manuals, articles, conference proceedings, doctoral theses and essays. Nowadays, although it is known that alcohol and substances cause not only addiction but also many physical health problems, their consumption has not limited, on the contrary, it has reached threatening proportions. Although in most countries drugs are illegal and alcohol consumption and gambling are not allowed to minors, their use begins at a younger age and is one of the greatest social problems of modern times.