Drug addiction is one of the major health concerns all over the world today. In US, drug addiction has been increasing at alarming rate. According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2009, nearly 21.8 million individuals aged 12 years and above were drug users in US. It implies that almost 8.7 percent of the total population above 12 years are using drugs.
It was also found that nearly 8,500 individuals are initiating drugs in a day on an average. Drug addiction can be attributed to many causes like peer pressure, loneliness, depression, etc. Some of the primary causes of the drug addiction are as follows:
Genetic or inherited
According to researchers, drug addiction or drug usage can be possible due to a genetic predisposition. This happens due to a gene in the body being linked to the compulsive behavior. Thus, the ability of a person to resist the substance abuse weakens by certain genetic predispositions.
Experimentation
Experimentation is one of the causes of drug abuse. The prolonged abuse of drugs will lead to drug addiction. This curiosity is majorly found among young children who start with experimentation and end up in addiction.
Psychological problem
A psychological problem can also initiate drug abuse. These psychological problems may include suffering from mental illness like anxiety, depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. People who have psychological problems will more easily get addicted to drugs than people who are mentally fit.
Peer pressure
This problem is majorly found among teens who are more likely to get exposed to bad relationships outside home. Drugs might be taken or accepted as the part of their group, who may put pressure on the teen for drug abuse.
Easy access
Easy access to drugs is one of the main causes of drug abuse and addiction. The easy access of drugs at common places like schools, workplaces, etc increases the chances of abuse and addiction of drugs.
Loneliness and depression
Loneliness and depression can motivate people towards drug addiction. The psychoactive affects of drug abuse make them feel better about themselves and escape from depression and sad feelings.
Anxiety
Some people may feel anxiety while facing problems. Anxiety will result in difficulty to deal with even small problems. Generally, it is in these situations that people look for support and opt for drugs. Drug abuse provides short-term relief of severe and disabling anxiety.
Poor family environment
Clashes between parents and their aggressiveness can lead to drug addiction in their children. Poor relationship between parents and children can also cause drug addiction.
Additional risk factors
Lack of self esteem in a person might lead him to drug abuse. The drug abuse temporarily installs a sense of goodness and gives them instant gratification. Once this continues, the person will totally be dependent upon the drug even to feel normal. Some players use drugs to enhance their performance.
Apart from these there might be many other reasons that can motivate a person for abuse of drugs. Though abuse gives some instant relief, it will complicate the issues more in the long run, along with adding up more problems to the abuser's life.
By Nate Rodney MBA
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