Popular Attitudes and Beliefs About Tranquilizers

Abstract

In a nationwide survey of the extent and nature of psychotherapeutic drug use, respondents were also questioned about their knowledge of tranquilizers and their attitudes toward the use of these drugs in general and in specific situations. The survey revealed surprising similarities of attitudes across demographic subgroups. Although respondents believed in the efficacy of tranquilizers and were willing to condone their use in some specific circumstances, they also had doubts about their long-term effects and about the morality of using them. Doubts about the morality of using tranquilizers were associated with traditional stoic values.