Drug addiction can be found in many forms. A person can be addicted to alcohol, prescription drugs, inhalants or other street drugs such as 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 are the first factors that draw many people to 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 drugs only in certain situations), it rarely leads to actual addiction unless other factors are present. However, some drugs (like heroin) are more likely to cause addiction than others, resulting in an addiction from simple experimentation alone.

The following factors may lead to drug abuse:

Prescription medicine

Prescription medicine can turn people into addicts because they have conditions that necessitate the taking of drugs in order to get relief. People become hooked on prescription drugs when they take more than the recommended dosage, take them more frequently than recommended, and continue using the drug after their initial medical condition clears up.

Steroids

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 the athlete to play while injured.

Coping with problems

Other people turn to drug use to cope with problems in their lives. Whether they are 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.

Exposure to drugs

Being around drugs and being exposed to addicts can also lead to drug addiction. When a family member or close friend uses or is addicted to drugs, it may become acceptable for other members to engage in similar behaviour. Drug taking then 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 peer pressure to fit into new social classes, new workplaces and new neighbourhoods. Teenagers fight peer pressure on everything − from looks to alcohol to sex to drugs. In fact, crystal methamphetamine (Tik) is becoming a way for many teenage girls to fight the pressure to be thin and attractive. Teenagers can also fall prey to the rebellious attitude that they need to try everything their parents or those in authority say is bad.

Accessibility

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 places to find drugs. Drugs may be found in schools, workplaces and even at the family next door. 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 or hiding the problem just leads to more problems in the long run.

Genetics and causes of drug addiction

Not everyone who tries a drug will become addicted to it. Researchers are looking into the possibility that some people have a genetic predisposition to using drugs. The “dopamine D2 receptor A1 gene” has been found to be more common in alcoholics and cocaine abusers than it is to the general public. Researchers believe this gene is linked to compulsive or feeling-seeking behaviour. However, some people in the general public have this gene without a problem of addiction. Scientists are still working on finding out the exact meaning behind this gene and the genetic causes of drug addiction.

Vicious cycle

Once a person becomes a drug abuser, he or she can very easily become addicted. The positive results of using drugs are being “high”, escaping pain and feeling good. But once a person becomes a habitual abuser, the negative aspects surface when a person is not using the drug. Physical withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, pain and shaking may occur. Psychological symptoms such as depression and the inability to experience pleasure can also develop. Therefore, people become addicted, not to continue the positive reinforcements, but because they cannot overcome the negative ones.

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