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Many people have never experienced addiction of any sort. For these people it can be very hard to understand and grasp the logic behind drug abuse. But with drug use getting more and more prevalent in America, it's now common for people to dig deeper and look for the reasons why people use drugs and alcohol. This is not meant to be a complete list, nor is is meant to be medical advise, but I feel this article can shed some light for addicts or family members of addicts dealing with this burning question…

Throughout history, people have used different kinds of drugs to change the way they feel or see the world. Different cultures have developed social rituals and rules around drug use as a way to control their impact on society. Drugs and how they are used also have different meanings in different cultures. For example in the Pacific Islands, kava is drunk as a means of making contact with the supernatural, to welcome visitors to the community and to cure illnesses. Some Native American Indians use a mushroom that causes dream-like states as a way of getting in touch with the Great Spirit. We use alcohol to celebrate special events like birthdays and weddings.

Young people try drugs for many reasons including relaxation, socialising, curiosity or peer pressure. Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis are the most commonly used drugs by teenagers. Around one in five teenagers have tried cannabis at least once. Parents can reduce the risk of drugs for their children with some strategies.

Why people take drugs There are many reasons why people take drugs. Here are some of the factors which can influence them:

If there are people around, then there are drug users around. It is simple as that, people have been using drugs to get high since prehistoric times, and they aren't going to stop anytime soon. Chances are you might be addicted to a drug, like nicotine or caffeine.

A person may or may not be aware of underlying reasons for their drug use. If you think about why you or others may use alcohol, this will give you some idea as to why young people like to use alcohol or other drugs. For example: