UV Light Tanning as a Type of Substance-Related Disorder

Abstract

To better understand the complex motivations involved with UV light (UVL) tanning behavior.Design: Two written instruments, the CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) Questionnaire, used to screen for alcohol abuse or dependence, and the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for substance-related disorders, were modified to evaluate subjects for a substance-related disorder involving UVL tanning.

Indoor Tanning Amongst Young Adults: Time to Stop Sleeping on the Banning of Sunbeds

“…Teenagers who frequently tan indoors selfreport difficulty in quitting tanning and 53 % of frequent tanners evaluated in one study met official criteria for a UVR-associated substance-related disorder. 1 Another study demonstrated withdrawal-like symptoms in 50 % of frequent tanners when given the opioid antagonist naltrexone. 2 Physiologically, UVR induces expression of p53, stimulating the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) promoter to produce α-melanocyte-stimulation hormone, which promotes melanogenesis and causes pigmentation, and β-endorphin, an endogenous opioid that might account for the so-called "tanner's high."…”

Teens and Indoor Tanning: A Cancer Prevention Opportunity for Pediatricians

“…Knowledge about the dangers of UVR often does not change tanning behavior. 24,25 These practices may persist because many people believe that a tanned appearance is attractive and healthy. In 1 study, 67.8% of youth agreed with the statement "I look better when I have a tan" and 55% agreed with the statement "I feel healthy when I have a nice tan."…”

Indoor Tanning: A Bio-Behavioral Risk Factor for Skin Cancer

“…Several approaches to measuring tanning dependence have been taken. Warthan and colleagues (Warthan, Uchida, & Wagner, 2005) modified the substance dependence criteria from the DSM-IV and those of the four-item CAGE scale, traditionally used to screen for potential problems with alcohol use. The modified seven-item DSM-IV criteria include tolerance, withdrawal, and engaging in the behavior despite negative consequences, key criteria for the diagnosis of substance dependence.…”

“…Among tanning salon patrons in the US, tanning dependence rates range from 33-41% . Among beachgoers, rates range from 26-53% (Warthan et al, 2005). Rates are 22-45% among undergraduate indoor tanners (Heckman, Egleston et al, 2008;Mosher & Danoff-Burg, 2010a, 2010bPoorsattar & Hornung, 2007).…”