The causes of drug abuse - Essay Example

The Causes of Drug Abuse “Most people take medicines only for the reasons their doctors prescribe them. But an estimated 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons. This is prescription drug abuse” (Prescription drug abuse). Many studies have proved that drug abuse is growing day by day everywhere in the world. Plenty of reasons were cited as the reasons for drug abuse. This paper briefly analyses some of the prominent causes of drug abuse.

Wang et al (2010) mentioned that “Childhood trauma, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse/neglect in childhood, is a significant risk factor for many psychiatric disorders later in life, such as substance abuse”(Wang et al., p.1). Bitter life experiences are the major motivating factor for drug abuse. It is not necessary that a person starts drug abuse immediately after he suffers a painful experience. In many cases, bitter childhood experiences such as sexual abuse, lack of parental care etc can generate drug abuse like antisocial behaviors later in the life of a person.

Physical as well as psychological problems can cause drug abuse. People with chronic diseases such as cancer, HIV, etc quite often take shelter in drug abuse to forget about the physical and mental pain caused by their diseases. Strained relationships and destruction of love affairs or dating relationships can also cause drug abuse like behavioral problems. Some people believe that drug uses can stimulate sexual energy. People, who are sexually impotent, often try to make use of drugs to improve their sexual energy or capabilities.

Narcotic drugs create good feelings. There is the initial euphoric sensation that comes with taking the drug, and then there is the secondary effect associated with the type of drug used. If it is a stimulant, the initial euphoria is followed by inflated feelings of self-confidence and abundant energy; if it is a depressant, then the initial euphoria is followed by satisfaction and relaxation” (Ho).Unemployment, poverty and lack of living standards etc are other reasons for drug abuse. Nobody likes to lead a life in poverty.

Everybody wants to lead a lavish life. Failure to get proper employment or raising the living standard often generates frustrations in the minds of the people. These frustrations often lead them towards drug abuse like behaviors. Improper knowledge about certain medicines or drugs often causes drug abuse. For example, marijuana is a controversial drug because of the arguments in favor and against it as far as medical use is concerned. Some people believe that this drug has the ability to remove pain whereas others are of the view that marijuana use may cause severe side effects later.

In any case, it is a fact that majority of people have lack of knowledge about the utilities and dangers of marijuana use. Thus, they tempted to use it whenever, they face some sort of physical or emotional pain. To conclude, bitter life experiences, improper knowledge about drugs, unemployment, poverty, bitter childhood experiences etc can cause drug abuse. Works Cited Ho, Dennie. “The Psychology of Drug Abuse”. 2009. Web. 09 April 2012. “Prescription Drug Abuse”. 2011. Web. 09 April 2012.

Wang, Zhen., Du1, Jiang., Sun, Haiming., Wu, Helen., Xiao, Zeping., & Zhao, Min. “Patterns of Childhood Trauma and Psychological Distress among Injecting Heroin Users in China”. 2010. PLoS ONE. December 2010. Volume 5. Issue 12