The Drug Deal

WHY DO PEOPLE USE DRUGS?

The majority of Canadians use some type of drug during their lives,
though most do not experience problems or misuse drugs. People use
drugs for a variety of reasons, which varies from the type of drug to
the person and occasion. Let's look at some common factors involved.

What role do the media have in drug use?

Advertisements on radio or television, in magazines, newspapers all
are influential in the way people think about drugs in general.
Product sponsorship of sport and artistic events, portrayal of
substance use in plays and movies and availability of information on
the internet also play a part in how people perceive legal and
illegal drug use.

A person may use a drug and keep using it because the effects are
pleasurable or positively reinforcing. Examples of this are the
feeling of being "high", relaxation, disinhibition, relief from pain,
tension or unpleasant emotions. As well, being able to sleep or stay
awake or achieve enhanced athletic performance can be reinforcing
factors. Curiosity is another common reason people, especially youth,
use drugs. The human brain does not finish developing until a person
is over 20 years of age, so the decisions some youth make concerning
drugs would be better postponed until they can do so with all
possible wisdom. Drugs are the topic of much conversation and
writing. Some people may have friends or acquaintances they know who
use drugs illegally. Human nature favors curiosity, especially in
young people; so accordingly, it is not surprising that some young
people are tempted to experiment with drugs. Also, some young people
may use drugs as a means to express rebellion or to express their
alienation from mainstream society.

A substantial factor in the decisions people make whether or not to
use a drug relates to social pressures. Also referred to as peer
pressure, I prefer to focus on the point when speaking with young
people. A little fellow in grade one once said to me, "you have to be
your own person". Such wisdom in such a young child made me think
twice. The pressures to use drugs in young people and adults can be
strong. Children may be influenced by parental alcohol, tobacco or
other drug use and use their parents use to justify their own drug
use. In some groups, drug-taking is sort of a way for people to feel
part of a group and accepted, which is a departure from the grade one
wisdom. Some youth "know better" but cannot bring themselves to break
away from the group as abstainers are excluded. Granted, this is a
hard thing to do but sometimes the decisions and standards we set for
ourselves can serve to deliver us from a dangerous herd mentality,
one that a person can look back on with confidence and relief.

Some people may use psychoactive drugs to relieve various emotional
problems such as anger, stress, anxiety, boredom or depression.
Others take these drugs to boost their self-confidence. As well,
people may use drugs to help them forget about or cope with traumatic
life events or situations or to relieve the symptoms of psychiatric
illness. Unfortunately, some people use drugs because they have
become physically or psychologically dependent on them. It does not
matter whether the drug is mild or strong, first used for medical or
non-medical purposes, or whether it is used legally or illegally.
When people continue to use drugs because they experience distress
when use is discontinued or reduced they can be said to be
drug-dependent. Keep these factors in mind, make the wise choice,
stand up to drugs and go after your goals.

Credit: Straight facts about drugs