Substance abuse problems occur when a person has little control over her consumption of the substance and continues to use the substance despite the negative consequences its use has on relationships, finances, job performance and academic success. The causes for substance abuse can vary from person to person and many times there are combinations of factors that together induce substance abuse problems.
Socio-Economic Status
Substance abuse is more common among impoverish populations. People who reside in low income neighborhoods or who experience homelessness are at higher risk for having a substance abuse problem. According to The Partnership for a Drug Free America, different population groups that generally have low-income levels such as disabled adults, the homeless and different minority population have higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse.
The impoverished conditions may make it hard for people to access mental health treatments and medical treatments from chronic conditions. Drug and alcohol abuse may be a way for these people to cover up their mental or physical symptoms that remain untreated. Generally, drugs and alcohol are easily accessible in neighborhoods that are impoverished. The accessibility of these substances makes people more likely to use them, notes MayoClinic.com.
Family
The development of substance abuse may be a result of past family problems with drugs and alcohol. Exposure to family members who have abused drugs and alcohol increases the risk that others within the family will develop substance abuse problems. In families where drug and alcohol use is accepted and heavy use is tolerated the risk of a person developing a substance abuse problem increases; therefore, making the family environment a potential cause of substance abuse.
Also, genetics plays a role in the development of substance abuse problems. According to MayoClinic.com, a person with a genetic predisposition for substance abuse will be more likely to develop problems with drugs and alcohol even if they only use socially.
Age of Use
The age at which a person begins using drugs or alcohol will affect whether their use turns into abuse. The earlier a person begins using drugs or alcohol the more likely she will abuse drugs or alcohol as she gets older. When teenagers begin consuming drugs and alcohol they increase their risk of abusing drugs and alcohol as they move into adulthood.
Gender
The rates of drug and alcohol use among women and men have not decreased, but there is a gender difference for potential risks of abuse. MayoClinic.com reports that being a man will make a person twice more likely to have problems with drugs.
