Why do People start using Drugs?
Why do people start using drugs in the first place? Addiction to drugs and alcohol has become a more widely spread public health concern over the past few decades. The chronic and dangerous use of street drugs, prescription drugs and synthetic substances continues to rise. But, if drugs are so dangerous, why do people start using them in the first place?

Studies have found that people start using drugs for a variety of reasons. To relax. For enjoyment and excitement. To fit in as part of a group. To avoid physical or psychological pain. To experiment out of boredom and curiosity. Or as an act of rebellion.
Ultimately, people use drugs for their benefits and not for the potential or perceived harm or danger they can cause. No one goes into taking drugs knowing they will feel worse. The majority of those who drink and take substances do not become dependent. However, there are a select few who can become tolerant, develop dependence and become addicted.
Types of Drug Use
Experimental Drug Use
Boredom and curiosity often lead to experimental drug use. This is especially true for teens and young adults. Teens who cannot deal with being alone or have trouble keeping themselves busy often crave feelings of excitement. They are more prone to experimenting with drugs because it gives them something to do.
Recreational Drug Use
Recreational drug use refers to using substances for the enjoyment of their effects. It can be used to enhance mood or enhance the social occasion in which the drugs are being used. The majority of drug users are recreational drug users and rarely develop an addiction or drug problem.
Constant recreational use can lead to addiction. Drugs and alcohol influence the reward system in your brain, causing a rush of dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that helps you remember rewarding and pleasant experiences. When you use drugs, it tricks the brain into believing that you are only being rewarded when using drugs. Other everyday natural activities become boring, dull and do not produce the same desired effects of pleasure.
Situational Drug Use
Situational drug use is when people use drugs to cope with a particular situation. Peer pressure from friends leads to experimental use. When one person in the group does it, it’s normal for others to want to share in the experience. Sometimes, when a person is shy and wants to try and loosen up or fit in a social situation, they will turn to drugs to help lower inhibitions.

Why Do People Start Using Drugs?
- One of the main reasons for drug use is to feel good and experience a pleasurable high. Drugs like heroin, meth and cocaine can cause a euphoric high. Feeling high can mean speeding you up and giving you energy and enhancing your focus and attention. Feeling high can also mean feeling calm, relaxed and sedated. Unfortunately, the pleasure of being high is only temporary and when it wears off, it can leave you feeling worse than before you started taking substances.
- Many people take substances to self-medicate and alleviate physical or emotional pain. They use it as a tool to cope with a range of feelings that include depression, anxiety and stress. Unfortunately, self-medicating is only temporary. It can make you feel better at first, but once the drugs wear off, symptoms will return and you may feel worse. And on top of that, substances can cause additional problems that can make you even more stressed.
- Another common reason for drug use is to help escape or manage uncomfortable feelings, emotions and mental health conditions. Many people with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health disorder. Common co-occurring disorders include depression, anxiety, PTSD and bipolar disorder. People often turn to drugs because they do not know how to effectively manage their emotions.
- In some cases, drugs are used to enhance and improve performance. This can be achieved by improving a person’s energy levels, strength and focus. Oftentimes, stimulant drugs that speed up the body’s activity can help boost energy, attention and self-esteem. Those who take enhancement drugs may use them to help them with demanding tasks at work or school or even to improve strength and athletic performance. Commonly used stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription drugs like Adderall.
- When it comes to teens and young adults, rebellion is often a reason for drug use. Some teens feel like they are misunderstood and don’t fit in, so they turn to drug use to make themselves feel better and as an excuse to act out.
- Another reason for drug use is to help boost a person’s confidence. Shy people often report using drugs like alcohol to help them build confidence. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and can give people the courage to act and do things they would not normally do. It helps to temporarily loosen them up and lower their social anxiety.
- Instant gratification is a big reason why some people start using drugs. For example, alcohol takes effect very quickly. The instant boost in mood change can feel good and relieve negative emotions. However, they are all very temporary feelings and do not last long.
- Entertainment, popular culture and media can be very influential in why people start using drugs. Popular culture is constantly glorifying drug use. You see it everywhere in movies, music videos and social media. It tends to paint a positive picture of drug use without the consequences.
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Factors that Influence why People start using Drugs
- Availability – Some drugs are more widely available and easier to obtain. This makes it more likely that a person will use these drugs compared to other drugs that are more difficult to obtain.
- Price – How much a drug costs plays a major role in why people start using drugs and how widely it is used. When drugs are available in higher quantities, they tend to be cheaper to buy. Drug affordability is an important factor in drug use.
- Drug purity – The purer the drug, the stronger the effects. This can also impact tolerance and dependence on the drug. It can ultimately lead to addiction.
- Polydrug use – When combining mind-altering substances together, it can intensify the effects of one or both drugs. The more drugs that are used, the more the user becomes affected by them and can become addicted to one or both drugs.
- Other environmental factors – Other factors that influence why people start using drugs are the impact of their home life, issues at work or school, drug use during their teens, history of family substance use and peer pressure and peer substance use.
How will you know when you need help for Drug Abuse?
Most drug use is recreational and does not become addictive. However, there are some cases where misuse continues and can lead to a dangerous path of substance addiction.
If you are taking more of a substance for a longer period than you intended, you may need help with drug use.
If you failed to cut back or stop drug use multiple times, you may need help with drug use.
If you have given up on activities and things you once loved, you may need help with drug use.
If you fail to maintain your daily responsibilities either at work or at home, you may need help with drug use.
If you spend a majority of your time getting drugs, using drugs and recovering from drug use, you may need help with drug use.
If you continue to use drugs even in risky situations, you may need help with drug use.
If you need more drugs in order to feel the same effects and experience physical or emotional withdrawal symptoms when you cut down or stop, you may need help with drug use.
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
Substance use disorder is a brain disease that impacts your physical, emotional and behavioral well-being. Why do people start using drugs? Drug use can begin due to a number of reasons and be influenced by a variety of factors. Behavioral treatment programs like Hotel California by the Sea provide professional care for those suffering from substance use disorder.
We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based treatment methods such as CBT, DBT and family therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping our clients reach their goals of sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://www.unodc.org/conig/uploads/documents/Fact_sheet_02_Why_people_use_drugs.pdf
https://drugfree.org/article/why-teens-drink-and-experiment-with-drugs/
https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/substance-use/why-do-people-use-drugs?srsltid=AfmBOoo0n6gOwaHYJ1RlPXbD4RmG6MaZ7kuajMnDkvYfiCC_tQzCE1Ya
https://adf.org.au/talking-about-drugs/family-and-friends/why-people-use/