Why People Start Using Drugs and Alcohol
March 25, 2008
People who don’t engage in drug and alcohol abuse often wonder why others do. It happens for a variety of reasons, though none of them are worth the consequences of substance addiction. No one really starts out thinking that they will become addicted to drugs or alcohol, but somewhere along the way the body and brain trigger that reaction. It can happen almost immediately or over a period of years.
Drugs and alcohol can make people feel powerful. They may become confident and lose their inhibitions. Some substances make people more comfortable in social situations, and in certain groups of people drug and alcohol abuse elevate one’s social status. It can be used as a form of rebellion or to enhance sexuality.
An altered state of consciousness is another reason why many people begin drug and alcohol abuse. It may start out as curiosity or recreational use and elevate to addiction over time. Drugs and alcohol make people feel different and can make them see the world in a new way.
People also use drugs and alcohol for artificial pleasure. These substances can numb pain from life situations, daily stress, or mental illness. The individual might find that they are a quick way to relax. However, over time they will develop addiction and no longer be able to feel pleasure at all without drugs and alcohol. In fact, some drugs permanently damage the brain chemistry that creates happiness.
None of these reasons are worth losing one’s life to alcoholism or drug addiction. Substance abuse destroys relationships, results in job loss and failure in school, hurts children, causes legal problems, health problems, and leads to violence. There are numerous addiction treatment centers in the United States that can help. Rehab facilities provide the tools necessary to begin the journey through addiction recovery.
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