Intoxicant consumption worldwide

Despite the downward trend, 3.6 billion people worldwide still consume alcohol or tobacco, according to the WHO. However, according to the UN, more and more people are consuming other intoxicants – 296 million at the last count.

In Europe, the average per capita consumption of alcohol is the highest at around two glasses of wine per day.

Around 80 per cent of tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries.

In addition to marijuana, the dried inflorescences of the cannabis plant, and hashish, the dried resin, synthesis products made from cannabidiol (CBD) are increasingly being consumed.

Can be produced from the milky sap of the opium poppy (opium, morphine, heroin) or produced purely chemically (fentanyl, methadone). Around two thirds of people who use opiates take them as pharmaceuticals for purposes other than their intended use.

These include "speed" and also "crystal meth". It is consumed in the techno scene, for example, in order to be able to dance for longer.

Extracted from the leaves of the coca bush and usually consumed as cocaine hydrochloride – white powder – or in the form of the processed crack.

The "party pill" consists mainly of MDMA and is therefore related to amphetamines.

Various substances that trigger hallucinations, such as LSD or psilocybin in "Magic Mushrooms". No figures available.

Sources: WHO (alcohol and tobacco), UN (other substances). The information in this overview is incomplete. Further information can be found in the other articles on intoxication or in WHO, UN and FOPH publications.

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