Causes of Drug Abuse
There are various biological and psycho- social factors that help to initiate substance abuse in an individual.
There are certain common factors that are associated with the cause of drug abuse. They are-
1. Biological Factors:
- Family history, genetic predisposition
- Preexisting psychiatric or personality disorder, or a medical disorder.
- Reinforcing effects of drugs.
- Withdrawal effects and craving.
- Biochemical factors
2. Psychological Factors:
- Curiosity
- As a novelty.
- Social rebelliousness.
- Early initiation
- Poor control.
- Sensation seeking. (Feeling high).
- Low self-esteem (Anomie).
- Poor stress management.
- Childhood loss or trauma.
- As a relief from fatigue or boredom.
- To escape reality.
- No interest in conventional goals.
- Psychological distress.
3. Social factors:
- Peer pressure. (One of the most important causes.)
- Role-Modeling
- Easy availability of alcohol and drugs.
- Conflicts (usually intrafamilial).
- Religious reasons.
- Lack of social or familial support.
- Social attitude.
- Rapid urbanization
