THE 12 MOST COMMON CAUSES OF DRUG ADDICTION - ARTE - 2025

What are the most common causes of drug addiction? Surely you have ever wondered this, and the truth is that this process is enormously complex and a multitude of factors intervene.

Each of us are different. We have had different experiences, our family has specific customs, our group of friends or colleagues think differently, and we have observed varied behaviors in the people around us.

Furthermore, our genetic makeup is unique, and our bodies may respond slightly differently to different substances. It can be said that, if several predisposing factors to drug use are brought together, a person will be much more likely to develop drug addiction.

It should be clarified that occasional substance use is not the same as drug addiction. In drug addiction there is dependence, tolerance and craving. In addition, the addict needs to maintain a frequent use of the substance to feel good.

In this article you will discover the 12 most common causes of drug addiction. Do not forget that it is very rare for drug addiction to have only one cause. Normally, in the same person, there are several causes at the same time to develop this problem.

The 12 most common causes of drug addiction

1- Past traumatic experiences

One of the most frequent causes of drug addiction is having experienced traumatic or very difficult situations in the past.

It is true that we all go through tragic moments in life that are very difficult to face. Some people can overcome them with the help of their family or friends.

However, many others can take refuge in drugs to escape. This seeks to forget painful memories and distract oneself in some way so as not to face these events. For example, when they have had a history of abuse or mistreatment by relatives or other close friends.

Thus, many people then take the habit of immersing themselves in a state of daze every time something worries them or experiences negative experiences.

They look for that escape route and not another because they have observed family members or other people face problems in this way. Or, they have found out for themselves that the drug helps them feel good and have started using it in order to get away from the pain.

2- Family atmosphere

It can also happen that drug use is normalized in the family. This increases the likelihood that the person will start using drugs because they see it as something everyday. In addition, family members end up being more flexible with this consumption because they too do it or have done it.

On the other hand, it has been shown that an unstable family environment, drug addiction or mental illness of the parents, predispose adolescents to drug addiction.

3- Groups of equals

Another cause of drug addiction is belonging to groups in which consumption is normal. That is, that groups of friends, classmates or colleagues, party colleagues… regularly use drugs.

It is possible that people develop a more positive vision about consumption, ceasing to see it as dangerous and uncontrollable. In addition, these groups facilitate both the beginning and the maintenance of drug addiction.

It is common for some individuals to feel that the only way to relate to or be in tune with their group is through drug use.

4- Admiration

It is not strange that, out of admiration for other people or trying to get close to them, we end up imitating what they do. This can also be influenced by artists, models or famous people who promote a positive view of drugs.

Another factor that makes the start of consumption more likely is to normalize it and even feel sympathy when watching it in the cinema or in series.

5- Certain mental illnesses

Individuals with mental illness may feel that something is wrong with them. This makes them turn to drugs to relieve discomfort or try to alleviate their symptoms in the wrong way.

This happens, for example, in people who have anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

6- Lack of motivation and goals

Many people turn to drugs because they do not feel comfortable with their life or do not find a motivation to guide them. Generally, people affected by drug addiction suffer some social exclusion. They do not have good results in their studies, they lack a job, or the one they have is difficult and not very stimulating.

It is not uncommon then that, to obtain pleasant or stimulating sensations that break their routine, they end up using drugs regularly. In the end, they can turn into addiction.

7- Associate drug use with stress relief

Modern life puts a lot of pressure on everyone. There are increasing demands on family life, work and interpersonal relationships. This makes us live in a state of permanent tension where stress accompanies us every day.

Some people find drugs a means of achieving relaxation or calm, that is, a way to disconnect from that tension.

In this way, drug use becomes recurrent. Addiction is generated and all the problems that it entails.

8- Genetic factors

Although it is not a direct cause, it has been found that there is a genetic predisposition to addiction. Some studies have shown that it is very common for several cases of drug addiction to occur in the same family.

It has been proven that the risk of suffering from drug addiction is 8 times higher in the relatives of those who are addicted to opioids, cocaine, cannabis, sedatives and alcohol. (Merikangas et al., 1998).

Some authors have questioned the role of genetic factors, since perhaps these results are due to the fact that family members “learned” to use drugs because they saw their family do it.

However, more and more studies show (such as twin studies) that drug addiction can be genetic. Mainly the amount, frequency of use and degree of abuse of certain substances.

9- Social skills problems

Shy people or people with problems relating to others may be more prone to drug use.

This is because many of these substances help people to become uninhibited, allowing them a better social interaction. This makes them consume them whenever they want or need to interact with others.

10- Brain neurochemical mechanisms

The drugs reach our brain, modifying the communication between neurons. Each drug works differently in the brain. For example, heroin or marijuana have a chemical structure that mimics that of natural neurotransmitters.

Thus, they can bind to receptors in the brain by pretending to be neurotransmitters and activate neurons in an intense way.

While, substances such as cocaine or amphetamines, incite neurons to secrete and maintain large amounts of natural neurotransmitters associated with well-being.

Most drugs overstimulate our brain's reward pathway, causing it to overflow with dopamine. This natural neurotransmitter is associated with pleasure, motivation, and emotions.

Addiction is generated because the brain seeks to repeat those behaviors that it relates to pleasure. This is in addition to the fact that many substances of abuse can produce a dopamine release between 2 and 10 times greater than a natural reward (sex or food).

In addition, the effects are usually immediate and longer lasting than those caused by natural rewards.

On the other hand, it is necessary to mention that each individual is different. There are people who may have certain mild neurochemical alterations in their brain that make them experience greater reinforcement when using drugs. While for others the opposite may happen.

In addition, in certain mental disorders these circuits can be altered and prevent natural rewards from giving them the pleasure they should. This occurs in some forms of depression, anxiety, or ADHD.

In this way, for them the relaxation or the pleasure obtained by the drugs will be much more reinforcing and even necessary to move forward.

11- Look for the effect felt when the drugs were first tried

Many of the people who become addicted experienced certain very intense and pleasant emotions and feelings in their first contacts with drugs.

Most of them can repeat drug use seeking to feel that pleasure from the past. Finally, they can cross the line that separates occasional use from drug addiction, becoming a spiral from which it is very difficult to get out.

12- Sleep problems

Having sleep disturbances is not uncommon today. In addition, to continue with our routine and daily demands we are forced to rest properly.

Many people who have difficulty sleeping for whatever reason can become alarmed at their situation. They may even become obsessed, making the problem worse.

Faced with this problem, the despair felt by these people leads them to take all kinds of drugs or drugs that promote sleep. From medicines available at any pharmacy, through alcohol or marijuana.

In the end, a rapid dependence on these substances develops since without them they cannot fall asleep. The same happens with people without sleep problems who get used to taking these substances at night.

When they do not consume them one night, they cannot rest satisfactorily. This constitutes a vicious cycle that requires great effort to break.

Articles of interest

Types of drug addiction.

Effects of drugs on the nervous system.

Consequences of drug use.

Types of drugs.

References

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