The relationship between psychological distress and dependence on addictive substances and behaviors: A survey of public attitudes toward addiction

Aim To examine the self‐medication hypothesis, which posits that individuals experiencing greater psychological distress tend to engage in addictive substances and behaviors (ASBs). Methods We analyzed data from a public survey on addiction awareness. Psychological distress was measured using the K6 scale, and its association with the frequency of use of the nine ASBs was assessed. We also observed a tendency for the usage frequency to vary by age group across ASBs. Furthermore, a general linear model (GLM) was employed with usage frequency as the dependent variable, K6 scores and type of ASBs as independent variables, and age group as a covariate. Post‐hoc analyses were conducted for each ASB to explore specific associations. Results Higher K6 scores were associated with increased usage frequency across all addictive targets, including shopping and Internet use, which are not formally recognized as medical disorders. Internet use, shopping, and prescription/over‐the‐counter drug use appeared to show stronger associations with distress than alcohol use, suggesting that they may be more sensitive indicators of psychological burden. Age‐related patterns varied; younger individuals tended to engage more in gaming and internet/Social Network Service (SNS) use, while older individuals showed higher frequencies of gambling‐related behaviors. Conclusion These findings highlight the need for addiction policies that address underlying psychological distress and incorporate age‐appropriate education and access regulations.