reasons why someone is drawn to using drugs to the point of becoming dependent on them
Based on the readings, there are many reasons why someone is drawn to using drugs to the point of becoming dependent on them. Amongst them are health issues where you find that individuals who experience severe pain like those who have cancer or post-operative patients are usually prescribed morphine. Sometimes they consume high doses and, in the process, develop high dependence on them6. Also, environmental and social factors contribute to dependency on drugs where, for example, some individuals who have mental illnesses are homeless and or incarcerated develop dependence. You find that abuse of medication is more common amongst such people, which raises the probability of dependency7.
Additionally, dependency on drugs is caused by the benefits that are associated with the drug in question. Psychoactive drugs have been believed to directly act on the reward system of the brain as well as regions governing emotion, memory, and learning5. Evidence showing that the brain is changed by administering drugs repeatedly exists, and this makes people depend on them.
I think it is high time that the society used language to challenge stigma on people who have problems with substance abuse. It is sad to see that stigma has caused many with these problems fail to or limitedly access mainstream social and health services69. Such stigma can make the victims feel unwanted in society, and instead of pursuing recovery, they continue abusing drugs, which may ultimately lead to a dark end. Therefore, people should be taught about the adverse effects of using language to promote stigma. There should be an encouragement to all people to use encouraging words to addicts or drug users that will make them feel part of the society. Once everyone offers support to these culprits in their journey of recovery from addiction, we all will marvel at a generation that is drug use free.