7 Reasons Why People Abuse Drugs

There are many reasons as to why individuals abuse drugs, and they will vary greatly from individual to individual.  

There is a harmful misconception that it is only ‘bad people’ or certain groups in society who abuse drugs, and that the reasons must therefore be linked to flawed or defective character. 

However, in this blog, we will explain that people can abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons, many of which are completely outside the user’s control. 

If we shift our perception away from judgement, and more towards compassion and empathy, we may arrive at a deeper understanding as to why people use drugs and how we can better combat addiction in society. 

Discover 7 Reasons Why People Abuse Drugs: 

1) Experimental purposes 

Firstly, it’s worth noting that a lot of people use drugs because they are simply looking to experiment. This is mainly in the case of teenagers, who are naturally curious at this age.  

Pushing boundaries is a big aspect of adolescence, and so many young people take drugs because they want to ‘try out’ new things. To them, it seems quite harmless, however this is not an uncommon way for an addiction to take root. 

2) Peer Pressure 

Following on from this, it is common for people to use drugs because of peer pressure from friends. Individuals may feel pressured to conform to the behaviour of their friends or peers in order to fit in or be socially accepted.  

This influence can be especially strong during adolescence, when the desire for social approval is high, leading some to adopt risky habits that may eventually develop into addiction. 

Seeing others use drugs and thinking “everyone’s doing it” may make it seem normal, or at least low in risk. However, over time, drug use can become more regular, and lead to dependency.  

Often, this occurs without the user even knowing it, creeping up on them slowly and becoming embedded over-time. What started out as innocent experimentation can therefore gradually develop into a compulsive habit that the user feels powerless to control. 

3) History within the family 

Another big reason for why people abuse drugs is history in the family. Overall, it is believed that family history can increase the risk of substance addiction by up to 2 to 3 times. This is linked to both genetic factors and environmental factors.  

For example, consumption of alcohol or drugs during pregnancy can directly predispose individuals genetically to addiction.  

Meanwhile, there are the environmental factors. Being exposed to substance abuse from a young age can influence people’s perception of drugs, making it seem normal or acceptable. 

Therefore, if an individual grows up in a household where drug use is common, they may be more likely to engage in similar behaviour themselves later in life. 

There are also the emotional aspects. Someone growing up in a dysfunctional household, where they are regularly neglected or their parents are going through a messy divorce, may turn to drugs as a coping mechanism.  

Additionally, witnessing family members use drugs as a coping mechanism for stress or emotional pain can lead the individual to adopt the same habits when faced with similar challenges in their own life. 

4) Prescription Drugs 

A lot of people don’t think twice about taking prescription pills. This is because – prescribed by doctors – they’re often perceived as harmless. 

However, just because a drug is available on prescription, doesn’t mean they are not addictive. This is far from the case. Like any other drug, prescription painkillers like codeine and co-codamol can be highly addictive if taken regularly over a prolonged period of time.  

Therefore, many people develop an addiction to prescription pills without ever being aware of it, suddenly finding themselves dependent when their intentions were pure. 

5) Loneliness 

Individuals who feel lonely or socially isolated may also turn to drugs as a means of coping with certain feelings, such as sadness and boredom. Substance use may provide temporary relief or a sense of connection, making it an appealing escape from emotional pain.  

Over time, reliance on drugs to fill this void can develop into a pattern of abuse and addiction, as the individual increasingly associates drug use with comfort or companionship. 

6) The ‘feel good’ feeling 

Many people also use drugs to experience pleasure, or a temporary escape from daily stress. It’s normal for people to want to feel good in day-to-day life. However, when their everyday life doesn’t provide this, whether that’s because of work stresses, financial difficulties, health problems or relationship problems, they may turn to drugs as a form of release and escapism. 

Substances which trigger the brain’s reward system create a powerful “feel good” sensation which can become reinforcing. I.e. it leads to ‘pleasure-seeking’ behaviour that supersedes all other behaviours and priorities. 

Over time, the desire to recreate this pleasurable feeling can lead to repeated use, increasing the risk of dependency and addiction, as the individual begins to rely on the drug to feel happy or relaxed in day-to-day life. 

7) Mental health illnesses 

A mental health illness can also put individuals at a higher risk of developing an addiction as they may use substances to cope with the difficult feelings, rather than getting help. 

Individuals living with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD may turn to drugs to self-medicate and alleviate their symptoms.  

While substance use can provide temporary relief, it does not address the underlying condition and can worsen mental health over time.  

This cycle of using drugs to cope can lead to dependency and addiction, making it even harder to manage both the mental health issue and the substance use, compounding them both. 

Why People Abuse Drugs: Final Thoughts 

Clearly, people can end up abusing drugs for a wide variety of reasons, there is no single pathway to addiction that all people follow. 

As indicated above, many people develop a drug addiction for reasons that are completely outside of their control. From troubled upbringings and social isolation to mental health issues and lack of awareness about the risks of drug consumption, addiction can arise in a variety of different ways. 

Often, these reasons are shaped more by a person’s life circumstances than by their character or personality. Therefore, it’s not the case that addiction only affects ‘bad people’, or that addiction is a ‘choice’ made only by the weak-willed. As a chronic brain condition, anyone can develop an addiction, regardless of age, background or socioeconomic status. 

Most people don’t plan on becoming addicted; their drug consumption started out innocently, and it may have developed perniciously without them ever even knowing it. That’s the case for many of our clients here at New Leaf Recovery, and so if we are to better understand why people abuse drugs, we need to shift the narrative away from one of judgement and stigma, and more towards compassion and empathy.  

If you believe you may know someone who is suffering from a drug addiction, reach out to New Leaf Recovery today. We’ll listen, not lecture, and advise you on what professional support is available to help you achieve a life of lasting sobriety.