Drug addiction can be found in many forms. A person can be addicted to alcohol, prescription drugs, inhalants, or other street drugs (cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, etc.). Understanding the reasons people are initially attracted to drug use can help stop future users from becoming addicts.
Experimentation and curiosity:
Experimentation and curiosity are the first factors that draw many to even try drugs. They want to feel that “high,” the sense of euphoria that comes with drug use. While this may lead to recreational use of drugs (using only in certain situations), it rarely leads to actual addiction unless other factors are present. However, some drugs (like heroin) have are more likely to cause addiction than others, resulting in an addiction from simple experimentation alone.
Prescription drugs:
Prescription drugs can turn people into addicts because they have conditions in which they need to take drugs in order to get relief. A person becomes hooked on prescription drugs when they take more than the recommended dosage, take it more frequently than recommended, and continue using the drug after their initial medical condition clears up.
Performance enhancing abilities:
Elite athletes are susceptible to using drugs. They use them for performance enhancing abilities. Steroids can make muscles bigger, while amphetamines help reduce or numb pain, allowing persons to play injured. Recently, major league baseball has come under fire for drug abuse. Though not as prominent, high school and college athletes have also been known to use drugs to enhance their performance.
Cope with problems:
Others turn to drug use to cope with problems in their real lives. Whether it is past abuse (physical or sexual), school problems, work problems, or relationship issues, drug use can help a person temporarily escape the realities of his/her life.
Drug surrounded environment:
Being around drugs and being exposed to addicts can also lead to drug addiction. If a family member or close friend uses or is addicted to drugs, it becomes acceptable for other members to engage in similar behavior. It becomes a tolerated activity.
Peer pressure:
Peer pressure is also a factor in turning people into drug addicts. Contrary to popular belief, peer pressure can happen at any age. Adults fall prey to pressure of peer to fit into new social classes, new workplaces, and new neighborhoods. Teenagers fight peer pressure on everything from looks to alcohol to sex to drugs. In fact, crystal myth is becoming a way for many teenage girls to fight the pressure that comes with needing to be thin and attractive. Teenagers can also fall prey to the rebellious attitude that they need to do anything their parents or those in authority say is bad.
Lower prices of drug:
Easy accessibility to drugs and new, lower prices are other causes of drug addiction. Drugs can be found anywhere if a person simply asks. Street corners and alleyways are no longer the only place to find drugs. Schools, workplaces, and even the family next door might be new places to find drugs. With more drugs being produced, the price has also been driven down.
Mental problems:
Another one of the causes of drug addiction is using drugs to mask other mental problems. For example, depressed people frequently use drugs to escape their sad feelings. Schizophrenics find that some street drugs can control their hallucinations. Denial and hiding the problem just lead to more problems in the long run.
Negative experiences:
Negative experiences may cause them to seek relief, such as financial pressures, problems at work, loss of a loved one or other negative experiences.
Lack self esteem:
A person may turn to drugs if they lack self esteem. The drug makes them feel better, because it fills a gap that they are incapable of filling themselves.
Instant gratification:
That leads them to try drugs, and might be the beginning of becoming addicted to a certain drug because it meets a desire. People naturally want to relax and have a good time, but people are often impatient and drugs will provide instant gratification. Over time, the drugs become the only way a person can relax, or feel good.
Family history of addiction:
While the interplay between genetics and environment is not entirely clear, if you have a family history of addiction, you are at higher risk for abusing drugs.
History of mental illness:
Drug abuse can worsen mental illness or even create new symptoms.
Untreated physical pain:
Without medical supervision, pain medications or illegal drugs like heroin can rapidly become addictive.
Experimentation and curiosity:
Experimentation and curiosity are the first factors that draw many to even try drugs. They want to feel that “high,” the sense of euphoria that comes with drug use. While this may lead to recreational use of drugs (using only in certain situations), it rarely leads to actual addiction unless other factors are present. However, some drugs (like heroin) have are more likely to cause addiction than others, resulting in an addiction from simple experimentation alone.
Prescription drugs:
Prescription drugs can turn people into addicts because they have conditions in which they need to take drugs in order to get relief. A person becomes hooked on prescription drugs when they take more than the recommended dosage, take it more frequently than recommended, and continue using the drug after their initial medical condition clears up.
Performance enhancing abilities:
Elite athletes are susceptible to using drugs. They use them for performance enhancing abilities. Steroids can make muscles bigger, while amphetamines help reduce or numb pain, allowing persons to play injured. Recently, major league baseball has come under fire for drug abuse. Though not as prominent, high school and college athletes have also been known to use drugs to enhance their performance.
Cope with problems:
Others turn to drug use to cope with problems in their real lives. Whether it is past abuse (physical or sexual), school problems, work problems, or relationship issues, drug use can help a person temporarily escape the realities of his/her life.
Drug surrounded environment:
Being around drugs and being exposed to addicts can also lead to drug addiction. If a family member or close friend uses or is addicted to drugs, it becomes acceptable for other members to engage in similar behavior. It becomes a tolerated activity.
Peer pressure:
Peer pressure is also a factor in turning people into drug addicts. Contrary to popular belief, peer pressure can happen at any age. Adults fall prey to pressure of peer to fit into new social classes, new workplaces, and new neighborhoods. Teenagers fight peer pressure on everything from looks to alcohol to sex to drugs. In fact, crystal myth is becoming a way for many teenage girls to fight the pressure that comes with needing to be thin and attractive. Teenagers can also fall prey to the rebellious attitude that they need to do anything their parents or those in authority say is bad.
Lower prices of drug:
Easy accessibility to drugs and new, lower prices are other causes of drug addiction. Drugs can be found anywhere if a person simply asks. Street corners and alleyways are no longer the only place to find drugs. Schools, workplaces, and even the family next door might be new places to find drugs. With more drugs being produced, the price has also been driven down.
Mental problems:
Another one of the causes of drug addiction is using drugs to mask other mental problems. For example, depressed people frequently use drugs to escape their sad feelings. Schizophrenics find that some street drugs can control their hallucinations. Denial and hiding the problem just lead to more problems in the long run.
Negative experiences:
Negative experiences may cause them to seek relief, such as financial pressures, problems at work, loss of a loved one or other negative experiences.
Lack self esteem:
A person may turn to drugs if they lack self esteem. The drug makes them feel better, because it fills a gap that they are incapable of filling themselves.
Instant gratification:
That leads them to try drugs, and might be the beginning of becoming addicted to a certain drug because it meets a desire. People naturally want to relax and have a good time, but people are often impatient and drugs will provide instant gratification. Over time, the drugs become the only way a person can relax, or feel good.
Family history of addiction:
While the interplay between genetics and environment is not entirely clear, if you have a family history of addiction, you are at higher risk for abusing drugs.
History of mental illness:
Drug abuse can worsen mental illness or even create new symptoms.
Untreated physical pain:
Without medical supervision, pain medications or illegal drugs like heroin can rapidly become addictive.
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