1.1 Explain reasons for substance use

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Explain reasons for substance use.

Substance use refers to the consumption of drugs or alcohol, either legally or illegally. Understanding the reasons why people use substances is important when supporting individuals in health and social care settings. It helps identify the root causes and provides insight into potential ways to intervene and assist them effectively.

People use substances for a variety of reasons, and these reasons often depend on personal circumstances, social pressures, emotional states, and environmental factors.

Physical Reasons

Substances are often used to manage physical pain. For example, individuals experiencing chronic pain, injury, or illness might use prescription medications or even illegal substances to alleviate discomfort. Pain relief is one of the most common reasons for substance use, and it is commonly seen in people with conditions like arthritis, cancer, or those undergoing recovery from surgery.

Some individuals may begin using prescription opioids or painkillers provided by medical professionals but become dependent on them, leading to ongoing use even after their physical symptoms improve. This dependency can result in risky behaviour, such as exceeding prescribed doses or seeking illegal alternatives.

Medical conditions such as insomnia and fatigue can also drive people toward substances. For instance, individuals might turn to sleeping pills, stimulants like caffeine, or illegal drugs to counteract tiredness or enhance energy levels.

Psychological Reasons

Psychological factors often play a large role in substance use, particularly for individuals struggling with poor mental health. Anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and other emotional issues can lead a person to misuse substances.

Some individuals use substances as a coping mechanism. Alcohol, for example, may help mask feelings of sadness or worry, albeit temporarily. Illegal drugs like cannabis or cocaine are also sometimes used to escape negative feelings or memories. Ultimately, these substances give users a sense of relief, relaxation, or euphoria, even if the effects are short-lived.

Peer pressure and self-esteem can also contribute to psychological substance use. A person might use substances to fit in with a social group or to gain approval from peers. This is particularly common in young people who may feel pressured into drinking alcohol or experimenting with drugs because of the influence of their friends or societal norms.

Social Reasons

The social environment is a significant driver of substance use. Social settings may normalise behaviours like drinking alcohol or partying with recreational drugs. For example, individuals attending clubs, festivals, or events may feel the use of substances is part of the experience.

Family background and relationships also play a role. If someone grows up in an environment where substance use is common, they may be more likely to adopt similar habits. Family members who drink excessively or use drugs can unintentionally influence a person’s attitude toward these substances.

Another factor could be loneliness or isolation. Some people use substances to combat feelings of being alone or disconnected from others. Alcohol, for example, is sometimes seen as a way to feel more sociable, even if the long-term impact is further isolation.

Stress and Life Circumstances

Stressful situations often lead people to substance use as a form of temporary escape. Life pressures such as losing a job, financial difficulty, illness, or the breakdown of relationships can make individuals seek substances like alcohol or drugs to cope.

Substance use in stressful circumstances occurs because the person feels overwhelmed and believes the substance offers relief or distraction. Alcohol can be seen as a way to unwind after a tough day, while drugs like cannabis or benzodiazepines might help an individual relax or block out problems.

Cultural and Social Norms

In certain cultures or communities, using substances may be considered normal behaviour. For example, alcohol consumption is deeply embedded in British social culture, and drinking is often associated with celebrations, milestones, and socialising.

These norms can influence perceptions of acceptable behaviour. People may use substances because they feel it aligns with their cultural or social identity. For instance, in some communities, cannabis use might be viewed as a harmless recreational activity, whereas in others, it is strictly discouraged.

Accessibility and Availability

The ease of access to substances strongly influences usage. In areas where alcohol, tobacco, or drugs are easily available, people are more likely to use them. For instance, neighbourhoods with numerous pubs or off-licences may lead to increased alcohol consumption among residents.

Availability also includes illicit access, such as social connections that allow individuals to obtain illegal drugs. Online marketplaces and social media have increasingly played a role in substance use, making it easier for individuals to buy substances discreetly.

Experimentation and Curiosity

Human nature often leads people to try new experiences, and curiosity can drive experimentation with substances. A desire to “see what it’s like” is a common reason why individuals, particularly young people, may try drugs or alcohol for the first time.

Experimentation can be influenced by others, such as friends encouraging someone to try substances. This initial interaction might not always lead to ongoing use, but experimentation does carry the risk of dependency for some individuals.

Addiction or Dependence

Once a person starts using substances, they may develop addiction or dependence. Addiction occurs when the body or mind becomes reliant on a substance to function properly, commonly seen with drugs like heroin, cocaine, or alcohol.

Dependence can begin unintentionally. For example, someone prescribed opioids for pain relief may gradually find they need higher doses to feel the same effect. Similarly, casual drinking can turn into regular heavy drinking over time.

The cycle of addiction can be difficult to break without professional support. Dependence can take over a person’s life and lead to destructive behaviours such as neglecting responsibilities, prioritising substance use, or engaging in crime to fund their habit.

Recreational and Hedonistic Choices

Some people use substances purely for fun or pleasure. Recreational use refers to intentional consumption to enjoy the effects, such as getting “high” or feeling intoxicated. Smoking cannabis, using party drugs like ecstasy, or drinking alcohol at celebrations are often recreational choices.

Hedonistic substance use focuses on chasing pleasure, excitement, or euphoria. This type of use is common in social settings like clubs, festivals, or house parties, where individuals want to enhance their experience with substances.

While recreational use may appear harmless at first, it can lead to regular use and dependency in some cases.

Trauma and Adverse Experiences

Experiencing trauma or adversity can be another driver of substance use. For example, people who have suffered abuse, neglect, violence, or bullying might turn to substances to cope emotionally.

These individuals may seek an escape from painful memories or thoughts and develop habits involving alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications. Trauma survivors often report using substances to “self-medicate” and block out emotional distress.

Environmental Triggers

Environmental factors often play a large role in substance use. For example, growing up in a disadvantaged area or living in a deprived community can create conditions that lead to substance use.

Unemployment, poverty, and lack of opportunity may lead people to use substances as a way to cope, especially if substances are prevalent in the surrounding environment. Lack of education on the risks of substance use can also increase likelihood.

Mental Health Disorders

Underlying mental health conditions can make individuals more vulnerable to substance use. Disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia may drive someone to self-medicate with substances to manage symptoms.

Substance use and mental health often overlap, with one intensifying the other. For example, regular use of cannabis may worsen pre-existing anxiety or depression over time.

Final Thoughts

People use substances for complex reasons, often influenced by physical, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Whether using substances recreationally, to cope, or due to addiction, it’s important to recognise the underlying causes to provide appropriate support and guidance.

As health and social care providers, your role involves understanding these reasons and encouraging positive change while treating individuals with compassion and respect.