Drug abuse is not just the problem of the individual. It is a problem that affects each of us. Factors that contribute to drug abuse come from all levels. From the individual's predisposition to addiction to the economy of their environment, all these factors play into the individual's addiction, as well as their success in conquering it.
Aggressive Behavior
Aggressive and uncontrollable behavior are signs that a person may be susceptible to drug abuse. Some behaviors can be violent or cause the person to become self-destructive. If a person already has a drug abuse problem, erratic, uncontrollable and aggressive behavior may provide a clue to the severity or depth of the addiction. Any behavior that leads you to believe that the person will harm himself or others needs to be addressed by a counselor or other professional.
Poor Social Skills
Teenagers or adults that don't fit into groups or who have a hard time making friends are at risk for addictive behaviors. People who isolate themselves will sometimes turn to drugs or alcohol to make themselves feel better about themselves. They will use drugs and alcohol to cope with the stress and pressure they feel in their jobs or in school.
Peer Pressure
People who try to fit in will often try drugs that their peers are using to make themselves feel more a part of the group. Acceptance by their friends is a priority. Low self-esteem is also a factor. People who tend to see themselves in a less than average light will sometimes do whatever it takes to make others notice them.
Lack of Parental Supervision
Teenagers who are left to their own devices will sometimes experiment with drugs or alcohol. Lack of parental guidance and supervision allows children and teens to make choices with less than adequate information. Drug addictions in teens can sometimes exist to make up for lack of parental attention or to help the teen deal with loneliness. The National Institute on Drug Abuse stresses that protective measures taken by parents can alleviate some of the risks involving drub abuse and teenagers.
Drug Availability
The availability of drugs can lead to addiction. Whether it be from peers and an unstable environment where drugs are prevalent or a prescription from a physician, drugs that are easily accessible will make certain addictions possible. Some prescription medications have warnings that taking them incorrectly can lead to addiction.
Economy
Drug abuse transcends every level of our economic standard. People suffering depression from being unemployed or laid off to CEOs in big corporations can all have factors that make drug addiction a possibility. It's the combination of several factors that makes an abuser get involved in drugs and alcohol.
