People tend to continue using drugs because the substance either makes them feel good, or stops them from feeling bad. In many cases, however, there is a fine line between regular use and drug abuse and addiction. Very few addicts are able to recognize when they have crossed that line.
- Problems can sometimes sneak up on you, as your drug use gradually increases over time. Smoking a joint with friends at the weekend, or cocaine at an occasional party, for example, can change to using drugs a couple of days a week, then every day. Gradually, getting and using the drug becomes more and more important to you.
- If the drug fulfills a valuable needyou may find yourself increasingly relying on it. For example, you may take drugs to calm you if you feel anxious, energize you if you feel depressed, or to help you relieve chronic pain. Until you find alternative, healthier methods for overcoming these problems, your drug use will likely continue.
- If you use drugs to fill a void in your life, you’re more at risk of crossing the line from casual use to drug abuse and addiction. To maintain healthy balance in your life, you need to have things other than drugs that make you feel good.
- As drug abuse takes hold, your job or school performance may deteriorate, and you may neglect social or family obligations. Your ability to stop using is eventually compromised. What began as a voluntary choice has turned into a physical and psychological need.
