You Need To Know The 8 Reasons Americans Start Doing Drugs

It is likely that you know someone who is doing drugs now or who died from a drug overdose recently. So what types of drugs do Americans abuse? Further, what are the reasons that people start doing drugs? Lastly, what are the signs that someone you know is abusing drugs?

Drugs and substances abuse are on the rise where more Americans are doing drugs. Indeed, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), almost 32 million people (11.7% of the population) were actively using drugs as of 2021, with marijuana, prescription stimulants, and methamphetamines as the most popular drugs of choice (see Kolmac). Further, Americans are suffering from chronic pain at higher levels than ever before where  “…11.2 percent of American adults experience chronic pain and 17.6 percent struggle with severe pain.” (see Behavior Health Center blog ). 

What Drugs Do Americans Use and Abuse?

To understand the reasons why Americans start doing drugs, we need to understand what types of drugs are used and which drugs and substances are being abused. 

• Drug Definition. A medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.
• Drug Types: Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants / stimulants, hallucinogens, anesthetics (pain relief), narcotic analgesics (ex. heroin), inhalants (ex. paint thinner), and Cannabis. 
• Most Abused Drugs and Substances. Alcohol, Amphetamines, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, LSD, Marijuana, Opium – Fentanyl/Heroin. See PBS Frontline’s A Social History of Most Popular Drugs for more information.

8 Reasons Americans Start Doing Drugs.

People turn to drugs as a solution or alternative to a problem or situation. Reasons and examples of why people abuse drugs and alcohol include:

1. To Feel Good or Relax. Short-term, drugs can make a person feel good.
2. To be Part of a Group. People in social groups are doing drugs and this leads to peer pressure as well as just a desire to belong to the group.
3. To Do Better in Academics or Sports. A desire to study longer and the need to take stimulants or use of anabolic steroids to improve athletic performance.
4. To Avoid Pain. An accident, old age, or other physical ailment can lead to unbearable pain.
5. To Experiment or Overcome Boredom. People with time on their hands by nature will try new experiences, especially ones that are thrilling or exciting.
6. Cope With Problems at Home. Home life is unhappy because of lack of care, child abuse, fighting, or even prenatal exposure to alcohol or other drugs.
7. Cope With Mental Health or Genetic Cause. Mental health problems go untreated such as depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Could even be genetics where some people are more affected and susceptible to drugs.
8. Cope With Problems at Work or School. Failures at work or school, not getting along with people creates stress.

See NIDA’s The Science of Drug Use: A Resource for the Justice Sector and MedlinePlus’ Drugs and Young People for more on the reasons Americans start doing drugs.

Signs that Someone is Doing Drugs.

When someone starts doing and abusing drugs there are signs.  Medline Plus has an extensive list for signs that someone may be abusing drugs. This includes:

• Changing Friends Frequently
• Spending Time Alone
• Losing Interest in Favorite Things
• Not Taking Care of Themselves – for example, not taking showers, changing clothes, or brushing their teeth
• Being Really Tired and Sad
• Eating More or Eating Less Than Usual
• Being Very Energetic, Talking Fast, or Talking Nonsense
• Being in a Bad Mood
• Quickly Changing Between Feeling Bad and Feeling Good
• Missing Important Appointments
• Having Problems at School – Missing Class, Getting Bad Grades
• Having Problems in Personal or Family Relationships
• Lying and Stealing
• Memory Lapses, Poor Concentration, Lack of Coordination, Slurred Speech, etc.

For more information from Unvarnished Facts, see articles on helping people.