[[File:Powder meth foil small.jpg|thumbnail|250px300px|right|Studies indicate that religious individuals are less likely to engage in illegal drug use than atheists/nonreligious.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/believers-consume-fewer-drugs-than-atheists-106266/ Believers Consume Fewer Drugs Than Atheists], ''Christian Post'', By Jim Denison, Christian Post Columnist, October 9, 2013|9:47 am</ref><ref>[httphttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131003093041.htm Believers consume fewer drugs than atheists], Science Daily, Date:October 3, 2013, Source: Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Foerderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung]</ref><ref>Multiple references:
*McCullough, Michael E. and Willoughby, Brian L. B. (January 2009). [http://www.psy.miami.edu/faculty/mmccullough/Papers/Relig_self_control_bulletin.pdf "Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: associations, explanations, and implications"] ''Psychological Bulletin'', vol. 135, no. 1, pp. 69-93. Retrieved from University of Miami department of psychology website on September 10, 2014.
*Alternate source of abstract: [httphttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19210054 "Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: associations, explanations, and implications" [abstract]]. Retrieved from PubMed.gov on September 10, 2014.</ref> ]]
According to ''Science Daily'':
{{cquote|Young [[Switzerland|Swiss]] men who say that they believe in [[God]] are less likely to smoke cigarettes [[cigarette]]s or [[Marijuana|pot ]] or take [[Ecstasy|ecstasy pills ]] than Swiss men of the same age group who describe themselves as [[Atheism|atheists]]. Belief is a protective factor against addictive behaviour. This is the conclusion reached by a study funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
[[Karl Marx]] said that religion was the opium of the people. New figures now suggest that religion plays a role in preventing substance misuse. A research team led by Gerhard Gmel from Lausanne University Hospital has shown in the journal Substance Use & Misuse that, in Switzerland, fewer religious young men consume addictive substances than men of their age group who are agnostics or atheists.
At the army recruitment centre For their study on substance use in Switzerland, Gmel and his colleagues interviewed almost twenty-year-old men at army recruitment centres in Lausanne, Windisch and Mels between August 2010 and November 2011. The researchers have now evaluated the 5387 questionnaires completed by the young men. Based on the responses, the scientists split the young men into five groups: the "religious" believe in God and attend church services, the "spiritual" believe in a higher power, but do not practice any religion, the "unsure" do not know what to believe about God, the "agnostics" assume that no-one can know whether there is a God or not, and the "atheists" do not believe in God.<ref>[httphttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131003093041.htm Believers consume fewer drugs than atheists], Science Daily, Date:October 3, 2013, Source: Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Foerderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung]</ref>}}
== Statistics on religion/irreligion and drug use ==
[[File:Drugs.jpg|thumbnail|170px225px|leftright|Religion has "enormous potential for lowering the risk of substance abuse among teens and adults," according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/believers-consume-fewer-drugs-than-atheists-106266/ Believers Consume Fewer Drugs Than Atheists], ''Christian Post'', By Jim Denison, Christian Post Columnist, October 9, 2013|9:47 am</ref>]] ''See also:'' [[Illegal drugs]] and [[Religion/irreligion, self-control and addiction]]
The ''Christian Post'' reported:
{{cquote|Religion has "enormous potential for lowering the risk of substance abuse among teens and adults," according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. They report that adults and teens who consider religion to be very important and who attend religious services weekly or more often are "far less likely to smoke, drink or use illicit drugs." In addition, those battling addiction who attend spiritually-based support programs as part of their treatment "are more likely to maintain sobriety."
Research also indicates that teenagers who are involved in religious activities are half as likely to have substance abuse problems as those who are not. In addition, spirituality has been found to help teens overcome genetic tendencies for alcoholism, social pressure, and a family history of abuse.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/believers-consume-fewer-drugs-than-atheists-106266/ Believers Consume Fewer Drugs Than Atheists], ''Christian Post'', By Jim Denison, Christian Post Columnist, October 9, 2013|9:47 am</ref>}}
[[File:A24987~.jpg|thumbnail|center|500px|center|Many addicts engage in denialism. For example, cigarette addicts and alcoholics commonly say, "I can quit anytime I want".
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See also: [[Addiction and denialism]] and [[Atheism and deception]] ]]
{{Clear}}
== Barna Group study: Atheists and beliefs about illegal drug use and excess alcohol use ==
*[[Secular Europe and alcoholism]]
*[[Godless Britain and alcoholism]]
*[[Atheistic France and alcoholism]]
*[[Atheistic Estonia and alcoholism]]
*[[Godless Irreligious Finland and alcoholism]]
*[[Atheistic Denmark and alcoholism]]
An Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) report indicated that 20% of Australians drink at levels putting them at risk of lifetime harm.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-20/alcohol-to-blame-for-one-in-eight-deaths---report/5102594 One in eight deaths of young Australians attributable to alcohol: National Council on Drugs report] By Jane Mower, Updated 19 Nov 2013, 7:28pm</ref>
For more information, please see: [[Godless Irreligious Australia and alcoholism]]
[[File:04656 market in SanokVodka.JPGjpg|thumbnail|250px|right|Alcoholism was a serious social problem in the former atheistic [[Soviet Union]].<ref>httphttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818</ref> Between 1940 and 1980, this [[atheist state]] had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.<ref>[http://isw.sagepub.com/content/35/4/441.extract Alcoholism in the Soviet Union]</ref>]]
'''Asian countries:'''
*[[Atheistic China and alcoholism]]
*[[Atheistic Japan and alcoholism]]
*[[Atheistic Thailand and alcoholism]]
'''History of communism:'''
Alcoholism was a serious social problem in the former atheistic [[Soviet Union]].<ref>httphttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818</ref> Between 1940 and 1980, this [[atheist state]] had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.<ref>[http://isw.sagepub.com/content/35/4/441.extract Alcoholism in the Soviet Union]</ref>
*[[Soviet Union and alcoholism]]
Binge drinking is a potent risk factor for suicide.<ref>O'Connell, H; Lawlor, BA (October–December 2005). "Recent alcohol intake and suicidality--a neuropsychological perspective". Irish journal of medical science 174 (4): 51–4</ref> Atheists have a [[Atheism and suicide|higher suicide rate]] than the general population.
== Irreligion/nonreligion and marijuana use ==
''See also:'' [[Atheism and amotivational syndrome]]
Researchers at Florida State University found a strong correlation between an individuals's lack of religious involvement and marijuana use.<ref>[https://www.civilized.life/articles/correlation-lack-of-religion-and-marijuana-use/ New Study Finds High Correlation Between Lack of Religion and Marijuana Use]</ref>
== New Atheist arrogance and drug addiction ==
[[File:British new atheist Richard Dawkins pic.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|260px|right|The atheist Chris Arnade wrote: "I also see [[Richard Dawkins]] differently. I see him as a grown up version of that 16-year-old kid, proud of being smart, unable to understand why anyone would believe or think differently from himself. I see a person so removed from humanity and so removed from the ambiguity of life that he finds himself judging those who think differently.<ref>[httphttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/24/atheism-richard-dawkins-challenge-beliefs-homeless ''The people who challenged my atheism most were drug addicts and prostitutes''], ''The Guardian'', Tuesday 24 December 2013 09.40 EST</ref>]]
See also: [[Atheism and arrogance]] and [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins]] and [[Liberal elite]]
I also see [[Richard Dawkins]] differently. I see him as a grown up version of that 16-year-old kid, proud of being smart, unable to understand why anyone would believe or think differently from himself. I see a person so removed from humanity and so removed from the ambiguity of life that he finds himself judging those who think differently.
I see someone doing what he claims to hate in others. Preaching from a selfish vantage point.<ref>[httphttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/24/atheism-richard-dawkins-challenge-beliefs-homeless ''The people who challenged my atheism most were drug addicts and prostitutes''], ''The Guardian'', Tuesday 24 December 2013 09.40 EST</ref>}}
[[Image:St Paul Preaching.jpg|right|thumb|250px|St. [[Paul]] defends his preaching (Giovanni Ricco)]]
The [[Apostle Paul]] wrote:
Paul wrote concerning drunkards and becoming free of enslavement to a drunken lifestyle:
{{cquote|Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor [a]effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. - I Corinthians 6:9-11 (NASB)}}
== Atheism, divorce, addiction, sexual satisfaction, social skills, dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes, and irrationality ==
''See also:'' [[Atheism, divorce, addiction, sexual satisfaction, social skills, dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes, and irrationality]]
== See also ==
*[[Atheism Religion/irreligion, self-control and alcoholismaddiction]]
*[[Atheism and health]]
*[[Atheism and smoking]]
*[[Atheism and morality]]
*[[Homosexuality and Illegal Drug Use|Homosexuality and illegal drug use]]
== External links ==
*[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2943841/ A focus-group study on spirituality and substance-abuse treatment], National Institutes of Health
*[http://www.christiandrugrehab.com/christian-recovery/do-atheists-abuse-substances-more-than-theists-and-why/ Do Atheists Abuse Substances More Than Theists, and Why?]
*[https://www.theblaze.com/news/2016/01/21/atheists-sued-to-stop-drug-rehab-program-that-uses-biblical-principles-heres-how-a-florida-court-just-reacted/ Atheists Sued to Stop Drug Rehab Program That Uses ‘Biblical Principles]
*[https://strangenotions.com/is-sam-harris-right-about-drugs/ Is Sam Harris Right About Drugs?]
==References==
<references/>
[[Category: Atheism]]
[[Category:Medicine]]
[[Category: Alcoholism]]