Lay summary
Many people in New Zealand use alcohol, tobacco and/or other ‘recreational' substances. For some people, use of these substances can cause minor symptoms or more serious harm.
Many people use dietary supplements, natural health products and/or traditional medicines (DSs/NHPs/TMs) for their health. Some DSs/NHPs/TMs are believed, or claimed, to treat/prevent symptoms from using alcohol, tobacco and/or other ‘recreational' substances. For example, globe artichoke is promoted to cure/prevent 'hangovers', milk thistle is claimed to help prevent liver damage, and St John's wort has been tested to help people stop smoking. In some instances, herbal substances (e.g. kratom), are used as replacements for 'recreational' substances, and some (e.g. salvia) are used as 'recreational' substances themselves.
This project will explore the use of DSs/NHPs/TMs in New Zealand for the prevention and/or treatment of symptoms/harms associated with alcohol, tobacco, and other ‘recreational substances’ or as ‘recreational substances’ themselves.