7 common characteristics of people who use drugs

Drug use is the order of the day in Spain, especially when it comes to cocaine and cannabis. Drug use is more common in adults 35 years of age and older, and beyond age, there are other traits statistically associated with greater use of substances of this type.

We'll see now what are the main characteristics of people who use drugs. Knowing them helps to better manage the resources for prevention and care of cases in which drug addiction compromises the health and quality of life of the population.

• Related article: "15 consequences of drug use (in your mind and in your body)"

What characteristics do people who use drugs usually have?

First of all, generally men are more likely to use illicit drugs and women tend to resort more frequently to drugs such as hypnosedatives or tranquilizers. But beyond this there are other issues to be addressed.

What type of drug has a more prevalent consumption in Spain? According to the studies, most people who detox tend to use alcohol or cocaine.

Of course, are there other behaviors that create addiction even if they do not require the physical presence of drugs? Of course, addictions to new technologies, shopping, sex, games or compulsive eating are becoming more frequent. However, the brain mechanisms involved in this type of addiction are the same as with the presence of drugs physical and personal, social, family and neuronal characteristics that influence the onset of addiction also.

Although none of these characteristics or traits determines the appearance of addiction, it is possible to identify those that can make a person more susceptible to developing an addiction to drugs

1. Low levels of dopamine in the brain

The brain reward system we found in the frontal lobe generate dopamine and a comforting feeling when faced with pleasant situations, in this case, the initial and voluntary use of drugs. Generally, those with a lower level of this neurotransmitter can be hooked on drugs as a way to regulate its presence in the brain unconsciously.

• Related article: "What is the frontal lobe and how does it work?"

2. The presence of an addicted family member

When there are people with addictions in the family system, it can be common to resort to drug use either because it is normalize within this system or because the person identifies with the addicted family member and copies their consumption behavior or because that is your problem coping model.

3. Low tolerance to frustration

Usually people who tolerate suffering or failure worse (due to lack of experience, due to a level of very high internal demand or lack of coping strategies) are usually more prone to the consumption of drugs as a form of momentary escape from this internal malaise.

4. Peer groups in which consumption is frequent

Belonging to family, friendly or work groups in which consumption is frequent and normalized can positively affect drug use because it is associated with a normalized form of leisure, its negative effects are minimized as a consequence of the appearance of the psychological phenomenon of the "mass" and the availability of the drug is very high.

In addition, the group that uses frequently is not aware of their addiction, does not ask why they resort to drugs or why it is becoming more and more necessary for your fun, and uses automated consumption and high economic expense to obtain it.

5. Openness to experience

People who are curious and have this marked personality factor (need to try new experiences, feel adrenaline, be a daring person) influences to try drugs initially looking for an alteration of the state of consciousness or a state of intoxication pleasant but can influence the addiction because the risk of adverse consequences tends to be minimized and to associate consumption with moments in which it is initially done voluntarily to cause greater fun.

6. Feeling of emptiness, depression and loneliness

The consumption not only of illegal drugs but also of drugs is closely related to feelings of irritability, sleep disturbances, depression, low mood, loneliness, and emptiness. In this case, the person tries to anesthetize her pain with the presence of drugs or drugs with a sedative and mitigating effect.

The presence of work stress, the experience of a duel or being in a period of adaptation can also influence people to be attracted to using drugs.

7. Low self-esteem

People with low self-esteem may feel that their emotional well-being does not depend on themselves and they seek momentary external relief instead of activate your social support network, start psychotherapy, or develop another healthy activity that causes well-being and covers these shortcomings. Adolescents with low self-esteem are prone to consumption due to social pressure and to feel recognized as members of a group that uses drugs that they admire or want to belong to.