[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Using drugs is a dynamic problem that starts differently with different people. Many people start using drugs for the wrong reasons. Why we use substances is just a different story for everyone. Addiction is common to everybody, regardless of background or socioeconomic level. Contrary to popular belief, drugs do not merely belong to mental illness, homelessness, or poor families. Educated individuals also have the chance to suffer from substance misuse. Hence, there are many reasons why people abuse drugs.
The reason a person is taking drugs is varied. In the majority of instances, he or she has tried to resolve his or her problems, but they think that drugs are the answer. A young person could attempt to fit into their peers and sees alcohol use as an opportunity to feel “associated”. However, some people use drugs for self-treatment. Many patients are taking several medications for their symptomatic illnesses.
What Substance Abuse Does
Often referred to under the alias drug addiction, substance use disorders affect people’s brains or behaviors and lead people to be incapable or incompetent in coping with drug abuse and addiction. Substances ranging from drugs like tobacco and alcohol can also be considered drugs. They Self-Medicate People who suffer from mental health disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, or depression may turn to drugs in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms. Unfortunately, using drugs to self-medicate only exacerbates mental health issues, which can create a cycle of dependency and abuse that is difficult to break.
Until a person becomes addicted, they can still take a prescription drug despite the danger. The problem can be seen from experimentation using an addictive substance at a social gathering and, sometimes for some, use becomes more frequent. Many of those who take prescription medication are addicted to drugs or take prescription medication.
Triggering and Common Causes of Drug Abuse
The reasons for using a substance include emotional and psychological reasons as well as other reasons. Emotional stresses can arise in several ways. It may result from loss of employment, death, or divorce. Everyone should know, by now, that drug or alcohol abuse has serious consequences, and not just of a legal sort.
Even medical issues can be emotionally damaging to an individual. Physically many people use drugs as an aid for strengthening endurance and boosting focus. Finally, drug use can be accompanied by psychological causes, such as mental disorders, traumas, or merely general attitudes and beliefs.
Reasons for Drug Use Within Different Social Groups
There are different reasons for drug use, but there aren’t always stereotypical users. Different groups with different demographic backgrounds may be responsible for different causes or triggering conditions for the misuse of drugs. While the effects of drug use are almost unlimited, certain populations in society become susceptible to drug use. Some types of drug users could be:
Homelessness and Mental Illness
People who think about drug use often think of poor people or homeless people. Patients often associate drug use with mental health issues including bipolar disorder and other mental conditions. These are especially vulnerable societal groups who are using weed to help with the bigger problem.
Homeless people and those battling mental disorders are isolated and depressed, and there is also a lack of support leading them to drug abuse. Moreover, they often associate with other people battling similar problems or using drugs. The cycle is then broken down into drugs that often result in an addiction.
Teens
Teenagers are prone to a variety of addictions and other influences. Teenage students face a difficult time characterized by school stress, social commitment, hormonal changes, and many others. Teenage girls face financial or other challenges when growing up and learning how difficult it can be.
Teens often experience extreme stress from a desire to be cool, often by consuming drugs or alcohol. In addition, teen rebellion typically occurs against parents or attachment figures. Substance use can often express these rebellious moments.
Working Professionals
Some people seem normal in their behavior. These are often attributed to several reasons including social and work stress. Additionally, many professional workers can help support a drug dependency. They’re usually doctors, lawyers, or any type of professional with high earnings that can support the addiction.
Complications
Taking drugs has long-lasting and harmful long-term effects and can cause major damage. It is especially dangerous to take certain substances especially when taken in high doses with alcohol.
For instance, using opiates can cause opiate-induced constipation, a persistent and potentially fatal form of constipation if a person is not treated while inhaling cocaine through the nose can harm nasal cartilage. Smoking methamphetamine may contribute to “meth mouth,” a severe form of dental damage that is brought on by regular tobacco use.
Risk Factors
People of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds are susceptible to addiction to the drug. Some factors can affect how quickly an individual develops their addictions. Your risk of addiction may also increase due to environmental variables. Lack of parental participation can cause children and teenagers to take more risks or engage in more alcohol and drug experimentation. Teenagers who witness parental abuse or neglect may also turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Another risk factor for addiction, particularly among young individuals, is peer pressure. Even when it is not overt or violent, peer pressure to fit in can foster a culture of “experimentation” with drugs that can result in addiction. Your likelihood of developing an addiction might also be impacted by the accessibility of a substance in your social circle. For instance, copious amounts of alcohol are readily available in several prominent college students’ hangouts.
Causes
As with many other mental health problems, a variety of factors can cause the formation of drug dependence. The major reasons include:
Changes in The Brain
Physical abuse is usually caused when repeat use affects brain functions. An addictive drug can affect certain neurons (neurons) of the brain physically. Neuronal signals are made up of neurotransmitter molecules. During treatment, these changes may remain for a longer duration. Actual physical alterations to the brain are frequently brought on by drug addiction. Addiction specifically modifies certain nerve cells, changing how the brain perceives pleasure (neurons). Drug addiction can alter how neurotransmitters function in the brain, which can alter how neurons connect and how they produce moods and other experiences.
Behavioral Changes
Drug abusers have historically been demonized as morally bankrupt individuals who make poor decisions. However, this purely behavioral model is unable to take into consideration the physiologic modifications that addiction brings about in the body and brain. Additionally, it ignores the problem of co-occurring disorders; many drug addicts experience mental health issues and turn to drugs as a kind of self-medication.
Dopamine Levels
Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in the context of addiction since it is the neurotransmitter in charge of motivation and reward. Dopamine surges brought on by drug addiction lead to feelings of euphoria, cravings, strong reinforcement of the same behaviors, and compulsions to repeat the action that brought on the surge.
Your brain has decreased your capacity to experience pleasure as a response to excessive dopamine by diminishing the number of dopamine receptors in the brain. Without a doubt, this results in even more desperate drug use.
Neurotransmitters
Electrical impulses are used by neurons to transmit messages via their axons and dendrites. These impulses are converted into chemical signals by the axons, which then deliver neurotransmitters across synapses. Neurotransmitters are subsequently converted back into the appropriate electrical impulses by the receiving dendrite, allowing us to grasp the message. For instance, “That bite of pie was wonderful, I’ll take another.” The brain constantly engages in these interactions, which regulate emotion, behavior, movement, and cognition.
Drugs are designed to disrupt these signals, releasing an excessive amount of neurotransmitters for the wrong behavior using drugs. This results in a massive increase in enjoyment for a damaging action that surpasses typically pleasurable activities required for survival. Drug use also interferes with the usual reuptake of these brain chemicals, upsetting your natural balance and affecting your mood. Soon, producing that flood of neurotransmitters once more will be the only thing that matters, and owing to the addiction, drug use is the only method to do that.
Conclusion
The addictive behavior has no discriminatory effects. Often it occurs for anyone if they have the ability for it. Understanding these factors is crucial in identifying and treating an addict, and having these triggers removed is vital to an effective recovery plan. A drug rehab program is an option for those seeking addiction treatment. When it comes to treating a mental health disorder, non-narcotic medications are often available for most. Increasing awareness about addiction is an issue that affects people. Everyone will soon be aware that the consequences are serious and not just legal.
Emmaus Medical & Counselling offers a variety of addiction treatment services. We are an outpatient rehab facility and we provide carefully administered rehabilitation remedies for addicted patients. Our practices are effective and we have gained a lot of recognition due to our highly promising results. Contact us today and book an appointment![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]