People can abuse any number of substances ranging from alcohol and cigarettes to cocaine and heroin. According to FamilyDoctor.org, substance abuse can be identified when a person continues to consume the substance despite the problems it is causing regarding his relationships, career, finances, and health and safety. The causes of substance abuse can vary greatly from person to person and are influenced by the situations individuals find themselves in.
Genetics
A family history of drug abuse or addiction can make a person more likely to develop abusive behaviors once he begins using drugs and/or alcohol, notes MayoClinic.com. Genes have been shown to play a role in whether or not a person who starts using will develop a substance abuse problem.
Stress
MayoClinic.com reports that some people abuse substances to reduce their stressors and tensions. The high produced by the intake of drugs and/or alcohol can cause a person to forget about her stresses and the bad things that occurred throughout her day. This ability to avoid the stress can make a person turn to substances more often to maintain those feeling; this can lead to substance abuse. As use increases, more of the drug or alcohol is required to reach and maintain intoxication.
Environment
MayoClinic.com points to the environment a person was raised in as one of the factors contributing to the development of substance abuse. Exposure to the use of drugs and alcohol and your family’s acceptance of drug and alcohol use can contribute to the development of substance abuse. A person will be more likely to begin using drugs and/or alcohol and increase his use if it is acceptable to the important people in his life, especially if those close to him also use drugs and/or alcohol.
Mental Illness
According to HelpGuide.org, drugs and alcohol are often used by people with different mental health disorders as a way to self-medicate. To reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety, along with other mental health disorders, it is common for a person to turn to drugs and alcohol, because while a person is intoxicated she forgets about her symptoms. According to HelpGuide.org, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that substance abuse affected 50 percent of the people who had a severe mental health disorder. The problem is, while it may feel like the substance is reducing the symptoms related to the mental health disorder, it is actually worsening them and making them harder to treat, which may cause the person to use at even higher rates.
