What causes drug abuse and addiction?
This depends on the nature of the drug being abused, the person taking the drug and the circumstances under which it is taken. Some medications, for example certain sleeping pills or painkillers – are physically addictive. They have a specific effect on the body which leads to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Others may lead to a psychological addiction if people have a craving for the effect that the drug causes. There has been some speculation that some people may be more prone to drug abuse and addiction than others. Research is being carried out into whether there may even be genes that predispose certain people to addiction. Social circumstances are important in drug abuse. Peer pressure, emotional distress and low self-esteem can all lead individuals to abuse drugs. Ease of access to drugs is another influence. People abuse drugs for a reason. Understanding what the person’s motivation is helps to explain why that person is abusing drugs.
