9 Reasons Why People Use Drugs and Alcohol (Experts Weigh in)

If you’re searching for “Why do people use drugs and alcohol?”, then you’re most likely concerned about yourself, a family member, or a friend. The answer is simple: People use drugs or alcohol to get high. They want that high or buzzed feeling so they feel good (or stop feeling bad).

Now the question is “Why do people want to get high?”, and that is a very complex question.

People will use drugs to escape reality, enhance social interactions, numb emotional or physical pain, or even just out of curiosity. Some use substances out of a psychological compulsion or physical need (addiction).

If you’re concerned about your own drug abuse or that of a loved one, our team of counsellors here at The Cabin will explain everything you need to know about why people use drugs and/or alcohol. We’ve also included some treatment options at the bottom.

NOTE: If your loved one is abusing substances, you must understand that they have a disease. It’s not a moral failing. Drug users are sick, and they need your help. Contact medical professionals immediately or speak to alcohol addiction treatment specialists before their condition gets worse.

Quick Answer: Why do People Use Drugs or Alcohol?

People use prescription drugs, alcohol, or other illegal drugs for a number of reasons ranging from curiosity and peer pressure to escaping reality and physical addiction.

Some just use it to have fun. According to the NIDA, 62% of Americans drink alcohol, while only about 10% have alcohol use disorder (that number is according to the NIAAA). So, not everyone who drinks has a problem.

But a problematic relationship with drugs and alcohol usually comes down to self-medicating an undiagnosed problem.

People use drugs and alcohol to:

• Escape reality
• Cope with anxiety or depression
• Cope with other mental health issues such as mental illness or trauma
• Numb physical pain
• Avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms

Some people want to quit, but they are so addicted that they physically or mentally cannot live without the substance. If you’re watching someone slowly destroy their lives due to substance use disorder, it’s most likely because they have a disease and have lost control.

The reasons behind drug addiction are normally grouped into three categories: emotional, physical, and psychological. Let’s elaborate on these 3 components of drug addiction a bit more:

• Emotional: It’s common for people to be emotionally dependent on alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs to get through the day. It’s typically to fill a void inside themselves or even to regulate themselves completely.

• Physically: Alcohol, cocaine, and other illicit drugs are highly addictive. They create a surge of dopamine followed by a crash that leaves the addict craving more of the drug. Often, addicts will use drugs or alcohol simply because they are physically dependent on them.

• Psychologically: Drugs quite literally hijack your body’s reward system, which leads to complete physical and psychological dependence. Addiction involves intense cravings, a strong compulsion to drink, and altered brain function. If you’re wondering why anyone would continue to take a harmful substance despite it literally destroying their lives, we hope this shows you why.

It’s important that you understand that this is not a moral failing. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to illegal substances, it’s not because you/they are a bad person. 

 You must understand that:

• They have a disease
• This disease has changed the way their brain functions
• It’s extremely painful for them NOT to use their drug of choice
• They almost always wish they could quit and “be good again”…they just can’t
• They need help

If you or someone you know is struggling, contact us today to get the help you need. It’s free, and we will respond within 24 hours.

9 Reasons People Use Drugs or Alcohol (And How You Can Help)

1. They Inherit Addiction From Their Parents

Addiction is a family disease. Many people start to take drugs or drink alcohol at an early age because of their parents. It’s a proven fact that addiction is heritable, both genealogically and through being raised in a household with an addict. 

There is even evidence to support that addiction is inherited genetically, with a study in the National Library of Medicine entitled The Genetic Basis of Addictive Disorders publishing several studies showing the heritability of substance use disorders.

2. To Cope With Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

Life isn’t always easy. Alcohol, marijuana, or harder “street drugs” are an easy way to combat stress, mood disorders, and other mental health issues. They instantly flood the brain with dopamine, which boosts your mood and makes your worries melt away.

Again, it goes back to what we said in the beginning: Drug dependence is usually self-medication.

One July 2018 study in the Wiley Online Library entitled Self‐medication with alcohol or drugs for mood and anxiety disorders: A narrative review of the epidemiological literature claims that nearly 24% of people with mood and anxiety disorders self-medicate with alcohol and/or drugs. 

Based on our experiences here at our treatment centre, we wouldn’t be surprised if those numbers were higher.

3. To Escape Traumatic Events

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition marked by unwanted, intrusive flashbacks to traumatic events, nightmares, and emotional numbness (among other things).

A study published by the National Center for PTSD, titled PTSD and Alcohol Abuse, found that men with PTSD are twice as likely, and women 2.5 times more likely, to struggle with addiction compared to those without PTSD.

4. They Are Physically Addicted

Substances like alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, or opiate painkillers are highly addictive. They change the person’s bodily chemistry to the point where they become physically dependent on them to “feel normal”.

For example, if someone you know has been using cocaine for years, then they most likely struggle to feel pleasure without it. This is because drugs hijack the reward system and create feelings of intense pleasure. They also reduce your natural dopamine and serotonin production.

After years and years of use, the feelings of pleasure are reduced, and the feelings of discomfort increase. Do you see the trap? It makes it hard to live a normal life without it.

In severe cases, addicts may feel physical withdrawals if they go more than a few hours without “a hit”. NOT getting their drug of choice results in aches, pains, and unpleasant cravings. Their only choice? Take the drug or suffer without it.

It’s a Catch-22, and this requires some to seek out treatment for a solution.

5. To Relax

First off, we’d like to say that we use the term “relax” very lightly here. Drugs don’t actually “relax” you at all. They just numb you to the outside world and flood your body with dopamine, so you only feel pleasure. But once the drug is gone, you’ll feel even more anxiety than you did before.

Many people use alcohol, marijuana, and other recreational drugs to “take the edge off”. We all know at least one person who comes home after a hard day at work, cracks open a beer (or pours a glass of wine), and plops down in front of their laptop to watch Netflix.

It’s probably the most common way that people escape work and life stressors. While it’s true that light drinking or marijuana use might not be very dangerous, it can quickly go off the rails.

Negative consequences of prolonged alcohol or drug abuse include:

6. Peer Pressure

If you’re the parent of a teen who is struggling with substance use, peer pressure is probably what got them started in the first place.

 “Come on, everyone does it!”…

 “Where’s your drink?!”…

 “Hey, want to try this?”…

Peer pressure happens to everyone, and it’s exceedingly difficult for young people to go against the grain. Everyone wants to feel like they fit in. And if everyone is participating in the drug abuse, then your child most likely will too.

By the way, drug abuse doesn’t only occur with street drugs like cocaine or heroin. It may also include anabolic steroids, which are becoming more popular with gymgoers.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse on their page Anabolic Steroids and Other Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs: “Anabolic steroids can cause severe, long-lasting, and in some cases, irreversible damage. They can lead to early heart attacks, strokes, liver tumours, kidney failure, and psychiatric problems”.

Steroids have also been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and irreversible physical changes. Always be vigilant!

NOTE: One study done on college students entitled Development and change of young adults’ preventive health beliefs and behavior: influence from parents and peers from the September 1990 edition of The Journal of Health and Social Behavior claims that peer influence is second only to parental influence in regards to drinking habits.

7. To Rebel Against Their Parents

Some kids drink alcohol as a way to rebel because it feels like they’re taking control when they’re upset about rules or expectations. It’s usually because they feel like they haven’t been heard or they haven’t had enough room to forge their own identity.

If that’s the case, then drinking can seem like a way to rebel against authority, especially if they feel misunderstood. While some form of pushing back against authority is healthy for teenagers, it can quickly turn into risky behaviours like drunk driving, binge drinking, or unsafe sex. You need to be very careful.

If you’re concerned, have a chat with them as soon as possible.

Tip: Keep the dialogue centred on you and your feelings. Do not attack them. Say things like “I am concerned” rather than things like “you’re drinking too much and you need to stop”.

8. To Gain Confidence or to Overcompensate

A major reason that people drink or use mind-altering substances heavily is to overcompensate for a perceived lack of something they desire. It could be the pursuit of perfection. It could be because they’re shy around strangers. It could be because they have low self-esteem or they aren’t happy with where they’re at in life.

The truth is that drugs and alcohol don’t provide real confidence or bravery. However, it feels that way. And to people who feel bad about themselves, shy in front of others, or just out of place, drugs can help them fit in and feel “normal”.

But it eventually catches up to you.

9. Boredom

Sometimes, people drink because they’re bored and looking for something to fill their time.

This is especially true for teenagers, who often feel listless and don’t know what to do with themselves. But it can also be true for adults too. Some men and women come home from work and don’t know how to pass the time, so they drink.

When there’s nothing exciting happening, alcohol can seem like a quick fix to pass the time or make things feel more interesting. The problem is that alcohol and other drugs are highly addictive and widely available (and accepted). This habit can quickly spiral out of control and become a full-on addiction. At the very least, it’s unhealthy. 

We suggest finding healthy ways to cope with boredom, like picking up a hobby, exercising, or connecting with friends. Finding activities that feel rewarding or meaningful can reduce the urge to reach for a drink when there’s nothing else to do.

What Are the Treatments for Alcohol or Drug Addiction?

The most common treatments for drug or alcohol addiction are outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, there is hope. You, your partner, your child, your family member: anyone can recover from this.

It’s not easy, but with the right support, it’s possible to rebuild your life. Here are three common treatment options to consider:

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is a flexible option that allows you to continue working, studying, or taking care of your family while getting the help you need. Treatments usually include counselling, group therapy, and medication-assisted treatment if necessary. At our clinic, we even include holistic therapies like art therapy or yoga.

Sessions can take place in person or online, so for someone who has responsibilities they can’t step away from, outpatient care is perfect. It’s especially helpful for people with mild to moderate addiction or those who have already completed inpatient care and want to maintain their recovery.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment provides a safe, focused space for recovery away from the triggers and temptations of home. If you or someone you love is struggling with severe addiction, this is the only option to recover. 

Patients stay at a facility full-time, where they can access medical detox, therapy, and group support without the distractions or stress of daily life. 

We recommend inpatient care for people with severe addiction or those who need a break from an unhealthy environment. Inpatient treatment allows patients to focus entirely on their recovery. It’s an intense commitment, but it often offers the best chance for long-term success.

Support Groups

We cannot overstate the importance of support groups in recovery. Recovery is not something you can do alone.

Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery provide a judgement-free space to share experiences, get advice, and feel less alone in the process. Nothing compares to having the emotional support of others who’ve been through addiction and lived to tell the tale.

They’re also free and widely available. No matter where you are in your journey, there’s a treatment option that fits your needs. It could be AA, SMART Recovery, Al-Anon, a religious group, a women’s group, or anything in between.

The most important step is reaching out for help. You don’t have to face this alone.

Recovery is Possible at the Cabin Chiang Mai

Addiction often begins as a way to cope with pain, stress, or trauma, but it doesn’t have to control your life forever. With the right help, you can address the underlying reasons behind substance use and build a healthier, more fulfilling future.

It doesn’t matter why you started. It matters that you are ready to get professional help for yourself or someone else. If you or someone in your family is struggling with alcohol or drug use, we can help. Help is available for every situation, budget, and location. Your insurance may even cover the costs.

Healing takes effort, but we’ve helped countless individuals and families rediscover peace. Together, we can help you create a life filled with stability, connection, and hope.

Contact us today for your free evaluation. We’ll respond within 24 hours and help you start your journey to recovery.