A number of influences can increase the risk of drug abuse by an individual. These include influences that are present in the home environment and in the individual's peer and social group that may make it seem more acceptable to experiment with certain drugs. A study published in the medical journal "Adolescence" in 1995 implies that it is important to know the risk factors that may influence drug abuse by an individual to better understand and treat the problem.
Family Environment
Research published in the journal "Drug and Alcohol Dependence" in 2002 emphasizes the relationship between individuals exposed to drug use by a parent or family member during childhood and later drug abuse. The family and home environment is very important in the child's personal and emotional development, and drug abuse by a parent or elder sibling can lead to depression, insecurity and low-self esteem in the child. These personality traits make the child more vulnerable to using drugs themselves as teenagers and adults. In some cases, children react to this unsafe home environment by taking a stance against drugs; however, in a high number of cases, they too fall into the trap of drug abuse.
Stress
Chronic or extreme stress or trauma can lead to drug abuse because the individual turns to self-medication to feel relief. The National Institute of Drug Abuse, or NIDA, underlines that turning to drugs is particularly common in individuals who have a history of sexual or physical abuse. Poverty and circumstances of loss can also influence the choice to try drugs and make individuals more vulnerable to becoming a drug addict. A study published by NIDA in 2007 illustrates this by showing that monkeys that were of a higher social rank took less cocaine than those that were of a lower rank and thus had less food.
Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is common during adolescence and it can also be a factor later in life to trying and abusing drugs. Peer and social groups may make it more acceptable to use drugs. A study published in the medical journal "Adolescence" in 1995 notes that social pressure is a primary environmental factor in drug and alcohol abuse.
Drug Availability
Accessibility and availability of drugs is linked to drug abuse due to peer pressure and exposure to substance use in the home. If it is easy for an individual to obtain drugs, it is more likely that he will try them and become addicted. For this reason, schools and neighborhoods with higher drug availability continually have new drug abusers.
References
- Adolescence: Risk Factors Leading to Adolescent Substance Abuse
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Addiction Science
- Drug and Alcohol Dependence; Parental Substance Use Disorder and the Risk of Adolescent Drug Abuse; John Hoffman and Felicia Cerbone; 2002
