Why do people take drugs?

Question

I don't get it. Why do people want to ruin their lives? My mommy is proud of me causshe knows I'm drug free & I have never even taken a drug test! and I have straight A's and if my friends want me to take drugs, then they aren't good friends. I'm not getting in trouble to be popular, and I'm proud!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

One reason often heard from people using drugs is that they do them to feel good. For real, it does feel good because most drugs act directly on the "pleasure center"--the limbic system--in the brain . Some might light up a cigarette at a party. They might not consider themselves a "smoker," but they do it to feel good or to "look cool." Someone might smoke pot at their friend's house because they think it could be fun. The problem? Drugs don't care what the reason is. The same effects can occur whether you're drinking to have fun or drinking to forget a problem, whether you're doing drugs to see how they feel or doing them to be one of the crowd.

People do drugs to change the way they feel. Often they want to change their situation. If they're depressed, they want to become happy. If they are stressed or nervous, they want to relax, and so on. By taking drugs, people often think they can be the person they want to be. The problem? It isn't real. You haven't changed the situation, you've only distorted it for a little while. Following are some of the reasons people say they do drugs to feel good or change the situation:

1. Because they want to fit in.
No one wants to be the only one not participating. No one wants to be left out. So sometimes they make bad decisions, like taking drugs, to cover-up their insecurities. They don't think about how drugs can isolate you from your friends and family. They forget to look past that one party to see how things could turn out. Or maybe they just don't see the people around them who aren't using drugs. Need to know how to say no??? Go here. Need a little support? Go to the message boards.

2. Because they want to escape or relax.
You'll hear a lot of people saying things like "I'm so stressed, I need to get messed up!" or "Drugs help me relax" or whatever. What they're really saying is "Drinking or doing drugs is just easier than dealing with my problems or reaching out for help." The thing is, the problems are still there when they come down--and not only do they still have to deal with it, they have to deal with it when they're not 100% and feeling guilty or even worse when they're not thinking straight.

3. Because they're bored.
Lots of people turn to drugs for a little excitement because they say there's nothing else to do but watch the same Simpsons' rerun for the tenth time or hang out at the Burger King. But people who make these kinds of decisions usually find out that drugs are ultimately really a waste and painful. Drugs don't change the situation, and they just might make it worse.

4. Because the media says it's cool.
Even though there's an antidrug ad on every minutes and more rock stars and ball players than you can shake a stick at tell you to stay away from drugs, the truth is the entertainment world still manages to make drugs appear very attractive. Kind of like how they encourage people to be really skinny even when they say anorexia is bad. Or when they say you should be super muscular but steroids are bad. But if you're wise, you'll understand that the entertainment world is not the real world, and basing your life on these messages is superficial.

5. Because they think it makes them seem grown-up.
This is one of the weirdest reasons. Think about it…Why would an adult want to use drugs? Probably for many of the same reasons you would consider. The reality is that the most grown-up people out there aren't users. They're too busy living their lives to bother with stuff, like drugs, that will interfere.

Do you have a parent or adult family member who uses drugs? How has it affected you? Share here.

6. Because they want to rebel.
Sometimes people turn to drugs not so much for themselves, but to make a statement against someone else, such as their families or society in general. Somehow taking drugs makes them outlaws or more individual. The problem is taking drugs, ultimately, robs these people of their ability to be independent, because it makes them dependent--on drugs and their drug connections.

7. Because they want to experiment.
It's human nature to want to experiment. Trying things out helps you decide if they're right for you. But it's also human nature to avoid things that are obviously bad for you. You wouldn't experiment with jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge.. The point is, there are a zillion better things to experiment with sports, music, dying your hair, seeing bad movies, eating spicy food...

Answer 2

Some people want to act against their parents or guardians, and a way of doing so is starting to take drugs.

Another common reason is peer pressure. If your friends are doing drugs, they try and get you to try them as well.

Some people even do them because they want to try and make their lives better, and they think that doing drugs will do so.

All three of these reasons are terrible, and doing drugs is not only expensive, but can lead to harder drugs, diseases, misery, death, and suffering on the part not only of the person on the drugs, but the person's family as well.

So do everyone a favour: don't do drugs. Period.

Answer 3

Good for you!! Keep up the great work. You'll get far in life.
Some folks just do drugs to either "be with the in-crowd" or because they've had a hard life (molestation, bad parents, death in family, etc.). Some just want to experience the feeling and end up getting hooked.
Again, glad that you are one that can "say no to drugs".

Answer 4

Most people will tell you that they use drugs because it feels good. However they use them to coup with something in there life that they do not want to deal with. People will always attempt to self medicate but in reality they will still feel bad on the inside and still have the problem the next day so they will use again.

Answer 5

Once you get reeled in, it becomes an addiction.
People don't care how dangerous it is to them. Non-junkies don't know the feeling.

I quit drugs in June 2004, 9 years after using that crap!

Answer 6

I had straight A's in school. I smoked pot and drank once in a while. My parents never questioned me because i got good grades. maybe thats what your doing. I had a lot of friends too.

Answer 7

first advil is over the counter ritalin is right up there with caffeine and meths they are uppers--lsd mushrooms are hallucination drugs nicotine is addicted drug as is methadonepot and hash are social drugs cheese is what you order for your pizza when you get the munchies i put meth down as i read methadone incorrectly

Answer 8

To hide the pain probably. They could be trying to become popular or somethin' good for you...keep it up. They stupid and if they want to kill themselves and fry their small pea-sized brains thats their business. Different reasons for different people....

Answer 9

i know drugs take you down the wrong path but hey its the scenic route.


mostly its a faze. some people grow up and stop

Answer 10

I'm so glad to see you're doing well, and even more glad to know that someone (besides my daughter) has that kind of confidence......Keep up the good work and share your blessings!!!!!