A recent study published in the Archives of Dermatology investigated the use of the CAGE-alcohol abuse screening too, somewhat modified- and another similar tool in beachgoers on a Texas beach. The authors reported that 26% of participants could be classified as having a "substance-related disorder" on the basis of the CAGE screening tool and 53% using the modified DSM-IV-R diagnostic criteria
Some skeptics might say that this is really a stretch and one more example of a hypertrophied tendency to medicalize every human behavior and trait and a rampant nanny-ism wherein we must figure out a way to stop everyone from doing anything that might be considered foolish, unhealthy or contrary to what the nagging nannies would have us do or not do.
The Archives article suggested that the recognition of tanning as substance-related disorder opens the door to possible new techniques to curb the practice, particularly in regard to tanning salons and the legal prohibition of children using them. They say outdoor UV exposure control might be more problematic ( Ya think).
Hello, I'm Kevin, I'm a u-v light exposure holic. Hello Kevin. (And another thing is U-V light exposure a substance?
2 comments:
"Some skeptics might say that this is really a stretch and one more example of a hypertrophied tendency to medicalize every human behavior..."
A while back there was a study on the psychological effects of UV light. The subjects were exposed to a light table either with or without UV (they didn't know which), and then allowed their choice of light table in a second session. Those who were exposed to UV had a strong preference for choosing UV again in the second session. This suggests that UV exposure does indeed create a psychological attraction. A more elaborate study would be nice, especially one using pleasure-blocking drugs. Other research has shown that short peptides related to tanning have psychological effects.
So it seems plausible.
Laying out in the sun may well be enjoyable.There may well be some physiological correlate(s) of that pleasure, I suppose there must be.My two dogs seems to really like to lounge in the sun. Some enjoyable human behavior if done to extreme is associated with harm or risk of health consequences.Should we call that behavior a disease or a substance abuse disorder and mobilize the trappings of disease treatment or substance abuse control? Is it then a "public health problem"?
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