Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction - Drug...

Why do people take drugs?
In general, people begin taking drugs for a variety of reasons:

• To feel good. Most abused drugs produce intense feelings of pleasure. This initial sensation of euphoria is followed by other effects, which differ with the type of drug used. For example, with stimulants such as cocaine, the "high" is followed by feelings of power, self-confidence, and increased energy. In contrast, the euphoria caused by opiates such as heroin is followed by feelings of relaxation and satisfaction.
• To feel better. Some people who suffer from social anxiety, stress-related disorders, and depression begin abusing drugs in an attempt to lessen feelings of distress. Stress can play a major role in beginning drug use, continuing drug abuse, or relapse in patients recovering from addiction.
• To do better. The increasing pressure that some individuals feel to chemically enhance or improve their athletic or cognitive performance can similarly play a role in initial experimentation and continued drug abuse.
• Curiosity and "because others are doing it." In this respect adolescents are particularly vulnerable because of the strong influence of peer pressure; they are more likely, for example, to engage in "thrilling" and "daring" behaviors.

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EXAMPLES OF RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS Risk Factors Domain Protective Factors Early Aggressive Behavior Individual Self-Control Poor Social Skills Individual Positive Relationships Lack of Parental Supervision Family Parental Monitoring and Support Substance Abuse Peer Academic Competence Drug Availability School Anti-Drug Use Policies Poverty Community Strong Neighborhood Attachment

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The initial decision to take drugs is mostly voluntary

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when drug abuse takes over, a person's ability to exert self control can become seriously impaired.

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show physical changes in areas of the brain that are critical to judgment, decisionmaking, learning and memory, and behavior control.

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No single factor determines whether a person will become addicted to drugs. The overall risk for addiction is impacted by the biological makeup of the individual - it can even be influenced by gender or ethnicity, his or her developmental stage, and the surrounding social environment (e.g., conditions at home, at school, and in the neighborhood).

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