Why do people use drugs in bad periods in their lives, while using it results in even worse situations?
14 Answers
Last Updated: 08/28/2018 at 11:19pm
Moderated by
Evelyn Coker, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
I am down to earth and enjoy working with all clients. I have a special passion to support teen girls and women. My work is nonjudgmental and provides a safe space to grow.
Top Rated Answers
The confusion here is certainly understandable. Why would someone want to make their situation even worse than it is by adding drugs into it?! It is far more complicated than this, though. Often times people who are going through very rough times in their life are looking for a way to escape. In the moment, drugs & alcohol seem like a great escape - they don't (and can't, really) see the long-term effects of using this as an escape. It's hard to see very far into the future when you are in such a hard place in your life. Hope this helps your understanding a bit!
Typically, Drugs are used in an effort to escape reality. The focus is short term, and generally ignores long term considerations, or simply doesn't care about them. Drugs that alter the state of mind and perception can offer an individual a temporary escape from the life situations and stressors that they feel they are unable to handle. As you mentioned, however, this can make the individual even worse off afterward.
Sometimes people do silly things in their time of need, as a cry for help, attention or to ease the pain, we don't often think of the consequences at the time we just act and think later, not everyone intentionally wants to harm themselves by taking drugs sometimes they just want to feel something other than the pain that is taking over them and by taking things that make you feel numb yes its silly but at the time the said person feels there is no other option...
Some people just want to try it once out of curiosity and could get addicted. The person hears from friends that it's not bad and is harmless, due to trust and possible peer pressure, the person may try the drug once and get addicted. Some people may have never learned about drugs or their affects and so may be getting into drugs because they hear about the "positive" effects and the way it makes you feel without knowing any of the negative effects. Others may be in a depressed state due to life complications and may see drugs as the only way out. That's pretty much it.
Using drugs is a get-a-way for them. Some people think by doing drugs it helps them forget about a situation for the moment but when they come down it's there in the back of there head
Hi! Well, the best way I can answer this is that I believe it is a way to escape, but in a way not helping, like a form of self harm.
Often times, people do not think ahead or care at that certain period in time if their continued using will make their situation worse. Especially if they are feeling extremely low and are impatient for things to get better. They may just want a temporary fix even if they know that it's going to create consequences later.
Because it is considered to be "fun" and when you are in such a bad situation you don't think it can get worse. So you just go on and do the drugs without thinking about further effects. It's fun while you're high but getting high doesn't lasts as close as the low that comes after that.
people use drugs especially in bad times mainly because drugs trigger the release of some chemicals that make a person feel good when actually its harming and worsen situations but they take drugs to alleviate some of the pressure
Anonymous
November 2nd, 2015 6:59am
It gives you a little escape from your problems and it feels so good compared to real life but it's not real and it doesn't help.
Because when we're feeling pain we'd rather daze out so we no longer have to "feel" except you only come back 10x more hurt and emotional than you would've doing it the sober/ strong way.
Drugs almost always release dopamine; that is fancy talk for something that makes someone feel good. Think of it as if you've won the lottery; it is comparable to some degree. Because it gives them those feelings, it provides some temporary respite.
Addiction is doing the same thing over and over in spite of negative consequences. The drugs are ones way of escaping their pain
When people are unable to regulate their emotions the nervous system goes into overdrive. Drugs are used as a way to self regulate when the individual perceives there is no other healthy options available. It gives them 'time off' their situation or problem and unfortunately after a short while the physcial addiction to the substance takes over and they are not able to regulate their daily like functions without it. As tolerance increases so does the amount required to achieve the inital effects. Unfortunately rehab is often the first time anyone assists them with their underlying mental health issues and show them a viable way of existance without substances. Although sadly not everyone makes it that far.
Related Questions: Why do people use drugs in bad periods in their lives, while using it results in even worse situations?
What is considered substance abuse?Why should I stop drinking?Why do I feel depressed when I'm not smoking weed?How to trust someone again who has consistently lied?How can I stop drinking or taking drugs?Why do I feel unable to focus when I'm not smoking weed?How to use Amethyst for sobriety? I've heard people say they bathe with it. How is it to be used?Can you become phychotic from quitting drugs cold turkey? Particularily cocaine?I have no clue on how to handle even one of my emotions. Please any advice?How do I help someone I have a hard time relating to?