How to disaccustom youth to drink and smoke using the example of Iceland
How to disaccustom youth to drink and smoke using the example of Iceland

Video: How to disaccustom youth to drink and smoke using the example of Iceland

Video: How to disaccustom youth to drink and smoke using the example of Iceland
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In Iceland, scientists have found out what biochemical processes cause addiction, and in 20 years have reduced the number of teenagers who smoke and drink in the country several times. The journal Mosaic Science writes about this.

The choice of a particular type of alcohol or drug depends on how the human body is used to dealing with stress. This is the conclusion reached by Harvey Milkman, an American professor of psychology who now teaches at the University of Reykjavik. Various substances cause biochemical processes in the brain, on which the body then becomes dependent. Scientists decided to find activities that stimulate the same processes in the brain naturally.

“You can be dependent not only on smoking or alcohol, but also on the car, money and certain food. We decided to offer the teenagers something better,”says Milkman. The students were promised to include in the program free master classes in any sport or art they would like to learn.

Scientists have suggested that, in terms of the emotional effect, such activities should have the same effect on adolescents as alcohol or smoking. Additional classes three times a week were specially funded by the state. Each teen was asked to participate in the program for three months, but many continue their studies after five years.

"Dancing, music, painting or sports also trigger biochemical processes in the brain that make it possible to better cope with stress," the scientists noted. To solve the problems of nicotine and alcohol addiction among adolescents, the authorities also had to change the law. Iceland has banned advertisements for cigarettes and spirits, and created special parent organizations that, together with the school, helped students solve psychological problems.

“It is strange that such methods are still not used in other countries,” the scientists note. In the mid-90s, Icelandic teenagers were among the top drinkers and smokers in Europe. Today Iceland tops the list of European countries with the healthiest lifestyle among teenagers. The country managed to reduce the number of teenagers who drink regularly from 48% to 5%, and those who smoke from 23% to 3%.

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