[Addictions in France: current status]

Abstract

Today, we can draw a picture of addiction behaviours linked to psychoactive products by distinguishing "use" and "problematic use". These are operational terms that imperfectly cover the established concepts of "use", "abuse" and "dependency". Alcohol and tobacco occupy the front place in the field of addictions in France, not only by the levels of consumption but also by the related health harms induced. We can also note a consumption of medicines without prescription among young girls (17.4% of those aged 14 to 18) and a "potentially problematic use" of cannabis among young men (14% of those aged 18). The consumption of other drugs is very marginal and most of health harms induced is due to problematic consumption of opiate drugs and cocaine.