What causes drug abuse?

Question

Can you also link the answer to stress?

Answer 1

Personally, I don't think you can pigeonhole it.

Some abuse, and fall into addiction, because of biological processes. That would be covered by the medical model and disease concept (e.g., genetic predisposition - not a guarantee, nor a determination, but an increased risk factor may be present).

Some abuse, and fall into addiction, because it's the only coping mechanism they have (e.g., social learning - it may have been learned by watching what was going on around them, or it may have been some other observable influence). They are faced with some stressor (physical or mental illness, family issues, peer related problems, financial hardship, etc.) and use a substance as a means to escape or deaden or numb the negative feelings, or treat symptoms (self - medicating).

The idea of an addictive personality and the concept that one is "weak" are not commonly accepted.

And abuse/addiction are not always related to stress. There are often reports of first use being in social situations (parties or hanging out) or simply experimentation that progresses (from social/experimental use, to abuse, to addiction).

Answer 2

If you ever find the one true and correct answer then call me first and we will both make a billion dollars. There are a number of possibilities:

1) Genetic tendencies.
2) Simple bad behavior
3) Emotional or psychological issues
4) Recreation that got out of hand

A doctor friend of mine who has done extensive research on the subject believes that most regular drug use of all kinds (alcohol and tobacco included) is really a form of self-medication. He believes that most of them are using drugs the same as someone might use Valium prescribed by a doctor - to calm their nerves, so to speak.

His research shows certain common traits among people who use more drugs than average. Among women, there is a very high incidence of sexual abuse when they were children. Among men, there is a very high incidence of absent or authoritarian fathers. One of the things that is notable is that they tend to have higher rates of use of nearly all drugs, not just one. For example, if you find someone who uses heroin, chances are they have had an abuse problem with just about every other drug you can think of.

Another possible explanation is simple boredom. Prior to 1900, the most common profile of an opiate addict was a rural-living, white, middle-aged female. The suspected reason was that living out in the middle of nowhere at that time, with little recreation and few friends near by was tremendously boring. Opiates helped to soothe the boredom.

In the case of stress, there are a lot of people who use drugs (as opposed to "abuse" them) for stress. Like, for instance, the person who has a beer after work to relax.

Answer 3

Sure can. People have the emotional resources and skills that they learned from their childhood. If they were abused or otherwise did not learn those skills as a child then they are more easily overwhelmed by the daily stresses of life and turn to drug abuse to self-medicate.

Answer 4

You should probably talk to your doctor about this? They can give you much better/more accurate info than you'll get here I think. But basically the answer is no. Drugs from the father wouldn't really cause miscarriage, certain drugs/substances can lower sperm count in men but this type of drug doesn't really cause any damage to the live sperm the man actually produces. His overall sperm count may have been a bit low but the sperm he was making were probably not any different than they would've been if he didn't use drugs.

Answer 5

Stress is a part of it. People look for an escape and find the easy answer.

Most people will dismiss the drug experience and walk away for it. Others have genetic or phychological dependency tendencies I believe.

Answer 6

yes you can link drug abuse to to much stress but really it is a addiction and many people need help for there addictions.The first part of healing is getting help.There are many places to get help look on Internet under Drug re-hab or counselling or any n/a or AA the list goes on and on.

Answer 7

I'd say an addictive personality. . .

But, perhaps I would rather say depression may lead to drug use. . .and then eventually to drug abuse.

Are you talking about illegal drugs or legal (depression drugs?)

Answer 8

self-medication because people have not learned how to properly manage stress. that was an easy one for an addict ;)

Answer 9

family probs or emtions probs.. a loved ones death and so on