People abuse and indulge in drugs for various reasons, be it prescription medication or illicit drugs. Although there may not be a particular reason behind why it all starts, it can affect anyone from any background and socioeconomic status.
When withdrawals occur, it is hard to do anything but obsess over the substance. People who abuse drugs are not necessarily going through a mental crisis. These people may also come from well-educated families with good-paying jobs. But, addiction can take a toll on your mental health. Unless proper help gets administered, a person can collapse under excess usage.
If you wish to understand why people use drugs, here are some reasons. The following may help you establish an understanding of what drug abuse entails:
- To Cope With Grieving
People handle loss or grief differently, whereas some people check into counseling or find ways to deal with their concerns. But, some people turn to hard drugs as a solution. Drugs can numb emotions and silence thoughts.
Anyone struggling may need the numbing effects of drugs, but what starts as a short-term solution quickly morphs into a long-term problem. Drug addiction is not easy to control. It would help if you had someone to step in and stop you.
- Dealing With PTSD
PTSD, sometimes known as combat stress, occurs after you experience severe trauma or a life-threatening event. While it comes under the banner of mental illness, it is a harrowing condition. Post-traumatic stress disorder can lead to drug usage as well. You may want to learn more to understand why military veterans become susceptible to drug use after returning from a battle.
- Dealing With Relationship Fallouts
Whenever you leave behind a relationship, you can turn to drugs as a form of escapism. Stepping away from people you care about can negatively impact you. When you start falling down the ladder of drugs, it can take a toll on you. There’s also a chance that you begin underperforming in other aspects of your life. You may neglect work and other responsibilities. Drugs have a convalescing effect. They don’t impact one sector of your life first, followed by other sectors.
- To Curb Mental Illnesses
Mental illness is an umbrella term. Many conditions come under its definition. It is not uncommon for people with mental health conditions to turn to drugs to elevate their health. People stick to drugs to help them cope with the symptoms that they experience. Some drugs help them avoid anxiety and depression. People with mental health conditions need proper help and care to work through mental health conditions. Drugs are not only dangerous for them but can also worsen their already fragile mind.
- Peer Pressure
Some people start taking drugs because of their friend’s circle. Friends can have a hold over you that no one can. They can easily downplay the effects of drugs and convince you to take them. You may even accompany them to parties where drug usage occurs. If you hesitate, there’s a chance you get bullied. Bullying has strong psychological effects on anyone, so you wouldn’t want that happening to you. Some acts of bullying are abusive. To avoid those from happening, people turn to drugs.
- Unstable Domestic Situation
Many people grow up in unstable households. That means they faced neglect growing up as well as exposure to drugs. Parents who abuse drugs in front of their children leave an impression on them. Children can pick up these habits early and integrate them as they grow older. So when these neglected children grow into adults, they normalize drug abuse too. The vicious cycle of drug usage continues for a long time.
- To Relax
Real-life is hard. There are too many responsibilities and hardships to face. The thought of piling bills and even family commitments can set people on edge. People use drugs recreationally. They like to unwind and relax with substances. Occasionally using baking pot brownies is okay. However, it doesn’t take long for relaxation to morph into addiction. People start justifying their usage as means of relaxation.
Wrap Up
Drug abuse starts for a variety of reasons. Some people start drug abuse intentionally, while others do it for recreational purposes. However, no matter why you start drugs, you fall down the addiction ladder. If you wish to understand why people abuse drugs, you need to consider several factors. People do it to curb their emotional, financial, and mental well-being. Some do it because their friends pressure them. For others, they do it to self-medicate. Some even go through severe mental health issues and turn to drugs for help. No matter why you start drugs, it would help if you weaned off them eventually. Addiction is a messy road, and unless people acknowledge their troubles, they will never get over their addiction.