Using Drugs or Non-Drugs Alternatives to Alter Mental States in the Online, Virtual Era

Bibliographic Data

ID21645967
AuthorsCandace Mouton (Department of Psychology, The University of Texas Permian Basin, Odessa, Texas, USA, corresponding author), Jamie S Hughes (0000-0001-9623-9021, Department of Psychology, The University of Texas Permian Basin, Odessa, Texas, USA), James N Olson (0000-0001-9264-5196, Department of Psychology, The University of Texas Permian Basin, Odessa, Texas, USA)
Year2023
Volume58
Issue11
Pages1324-1332
Publication date2023-09-19
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSubstance Use & Misuse (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1082-6084 • E-ISSN: 1532-2491
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10826084.2023.2201938
PMID37287394
OpenAlexW4379768963
LanguageEN
References cited30

Background: In the 1970s a body of literature was generated advocating the alternatives approach for drug misuse prevention and rehabilitation which encouraged healthy nonchemical behaviors leading to reinforcing moods. Although this behaviorally oriented approach was overshadowed with the popularity of cognitive therapy in the 1980s, many of the recommended alternative behaviors remain embedded in cognitive approaches for drug misuse prevention and rehabilitation. One objective of the present study was to replicate, in part, two studies conducted in the 1970s which examined usage patterns of non-drug alternatives. A second objective was to explore of the use of newer technologies like the internet and the smartphone to alter emotional states. A third objective was to examine perceived stress and discrimination experiences on preferences for drug and non-drug alternatives. Methods: Three questionnaires were administered: use of drugs and non-drug alternatives in response to everyday emotions; the Everyday Discrimination Scale; and the Perceived Stress Scale. A total of 483 adults participated; their mean age was 39 years. Results: The results revealed that non-drug alternatives were preferred to drugs in treating experiences of anxiety, depression, and hostility, and to induce pleasure. Drugs were used most often to deal with pain. Experiences of discrimination increased perceptions of stress, and stress, in turn, affected the use of drugs to cope with a range of emotions. Social media and virtual activities were not preferred methods for altering negative moods. Conclusions: Social media may actually be a contributor or cause of distress, rather than a means for reducing it

Anxiety · Distress · Hostility · Pleasure · Popularity · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Psychology · Social Psychology

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