Cocaine, amphetamines and heroin are perceived by European citizens as the ‘addictions’ with the most severe consequences to society, whereas tobacco, despite being responsible for the largest share of premature deaths caused by addictive substances, is perceived as having one of the least severe impacts on society.

Key words: addictions, severity, popular perceptions, addictiveness

Lead author(s): Blomqvist

Most addiction concepts in various European countries changed between 1860 and 1980, but by the end of this period some degree of homogeneity around terminology can be observed.

Key words: evolution, addiction, concepts, Europe

Lead author(s): Berridge, Mold

The way in which General practitioners’ view problem gambling is shaped by both the country-specific approaches to problems in general and the predominant welfare culture.

Key words: problem gambling, health professionals, views, welfare culture, professional approaches

Lead author(s): Egerer, Hellman

Online bingo websites use a range of strategies to draw in new users, foster emotional attachment and encourage heavier involvement in gambling.

Key words: online bingo, marketing, gambling, belonging, excessive use

Lead author(s): Stead

Understanding human evolutionary behaviour and the common mismatch between the way we run our lives in present times and the way our lives were run in the environment in which we evolved can provide better pointers as to what needs to be done to reduce the ill-health and premature death resulting from the use of alcohol and drugs.

Key words: ill-health, heavy use, drugs, evolutionary behaviour

Lead author(s): Anderson