E-cigarette use spans generations; addiction treatment sees more than just drugs

E-cigarette use is not confined to specific demographics but spans across different age groups, with varied motivations behind their initiation, according to Su Bai-wen, director of the Department of Psychiatry at Taoyuan Hospital.

Su observed that while younger individuals may experiment with e-cigarettes due to curiosity, peer influence, boredom, or to relax and relieve stress, older individuals might turn to them as substitutes for other substances, often to manage withdrawal symptoms, emotional distress, or sleep problems.

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E-cigarette use spans across different age groups, with varying reasons for initiation.

Some e-cigarettes contain ingredients like etomidate, a medical anesthetic, which can impair concentration, judgment, and reaction time, thereby increasing the risk of traffic accidents. Su noted that many users are aware of the effects but not the risks, or they engage in risky behavior due to a sense of侥幸 (jǐngxìng - a false sense of security or luck) or immediate needs, a challenge similar to combating drunk driving.

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Many users are aware of the effects but not the risks, or they engage in risky behavior due to a sense of侥幸 (jǐngxìng - a false sense of security or luck) or immediate needs.

The hospital's addiction treatment program goes beyond assessing drug types and usage patterns. It delves into the individual's life circumstances, emotional distress, relationships, and future aspirations. Su believes that addressing addiction requires understanding the multifaceted factors contributing to it, such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, family conflicts, social isolation, work stress, or financial difficulties, as drugs can become a readily accessible coping mechanism.

Taoyuan Hospital's approach to addiction treatment is not a one-time fix but an ongoing process. For those still using e-cigarettes or other drugs, the immediate focus is on self-protection and preventing harm to others, such as avoiding drunk driving. Simultaneously, the process encourages users to recognize their usage patterns and the role drugs play in their lives. The hospital encourages anyone with questions about e-cigarettes, drug use, addiction treatment, or related legal issues to seek help from their medical team, regardless of how severe the problem may seem.

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The addiction treatment program goes beyond assessing drug types and usage patterns. It delves into the individual's life circumstances, emotional distress, relationships, and future aspirations.