Reason 3 of the Top 4 Reasons People Use Drugs

3rd Top Reason People Use Drugs

01-21-24 Reason 3 of the Top 4 Reasons People Use Drugs

Remember, we’re doing them in reverse order, so come back for reason 2 and of course #1, which we’ll publish over the next few weeks. If you missed Reason 4, pop over here:

Let’s get right to it 😊.

Reason # 3 Trying To Be The Most We Can.

Hey everybody! It's time to dive into the next part of our exploration of the top four reasons behind people using drugs. Today, we're going to discuss something that affects lots of us—the desire to perform better in various aspects of life, from schoolwork to home to careers. Even in sports. The idea of trying harder can be tied to many things in our thoughts. Some people can have poor self-esteem or it could be that there are just too many things going on in our lives and we feel overwhelmed.

Imagine being a student faced with mountains of homework and looming deadlines. Or perhaps you've got a demanding job requiring constant attention and alertness. Maybe you're involved in competitive sports, pushing yourself to become faster, stronger, and more skilled.

It could be just balancing everyday stress or home life. Doesn’t matter if you’re a student, mom, dad, homemaker, or blue/white-collar worker, Whatever your situation, feeling pressure to succeed is common and sometimes overwhelming. Even navigating daily life comes with its own unique set of challenges, especially for parents juggling childcare duties, spouses maintaining relationships, and working and managing busy schedules. Feeling overwhelmed by the numerous demands placed upon us is quite normal.

Now, imagine discovering a magical pill that promises increased focus, stamina, and productivity. Sounds great, right? You’re tired from long hours of studying for those final exams or your job requires 12 hours shifts. When you go home after a long day, you just want to sleep, but you still have kids who need your attention. Then there are those chores around the house and a thousand other things that you have to do. Someone notices your lack of energy and slips you an “energy” pill. Telling you it’s just a pick-me-up, but better than caffeine in coffee. You take it and your energy level soars. Leaping over tall buildings or stopping a locomotive seems to be easy now.

For white and blue-collar men aged 20 to 55, the pressure to excel in work and professional settings can significantly contribute to drug use. They represent a demographic facing considerable risk regarding death from overdose involving substances like opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. That's because they're likely to use alone, which is the greatest predictor of death from an overdose.

It’s even more tempting for marginalized people, living homeless or already suffering from other substance or mental health disorders, hungry, cold, and living moment-to-moment. Stimulants like meth or crack cocaine can seem to make life bearable, even if it’s only for short periods. Finally, let's not forget trauma and mental health disorders. Past and present, physical and emotional. Using stimulants can be a coping mechanism for those suffering from trauma/mental health.

You might be asking yourself, how does a stimulant help a person with past trauma and haunting memories cope? Great question - stimulants both physically and mentally tend to cause people to focus on the present, which puts all those bad memories into the back of our minds, until, of course, the drug wears off. Then it all comes back.

Unfortunately, though, turning to prescription stimulants or unregulated substances like methamphetamine (meth) or crack cocaine brings along huge health risks and potential consequences.

While these substances may provide temporary boosts, people who use them often experience harsh crashes afterward, leaving them feeling worse than before. Moreover, prolonged usage could lead to addiction, mental health disorders, organ damage, and social problems. So, what starts as an attempt to get ahead or cope quickly turns into a dangerous cycle that negatively messes with our physical and mental well-being.

It's vital to find alternative strategies to manage stress without jeopardizing our health.

Here are some starting ideas:

·         Prioritize tasks: Break down big projects into smaller steps and tackle them systematically. This approach makes things seem more manageable and helps maintain motivation

·         Get enough sleep: Rest fuels the brain and body, improving overall cognitive function, memory, and mood.

·         Eat balanced meals: Nutritious foods supply sustained energy throughout the day, reducing fatigue and enhancing focus.

·         Stay active: Regular physical activity releases endorphins, which naturally elevate mood and increase mental clarity.

·         Practice mindfulness techniques: Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation alleviate anxiety and promote inner peace.

·         Seek support when needed: Share concerns with professional health providers, teachers, supervisors, coaches, friends, or family members who may have helpful guidance or resources.

By adopting more positive strategies and seeking help when required, we can build resilience against external pressures. This helps us thrive personally and professionally. Remember, success doesn't come overnight, so take care of yourself first, always!

Come back next week for Reason 2 – Join our email list to get an automatic reminder:

 albernihelp@gmail.com

Learning Moments are written to foster understanding of all aspects of substance or mental health disorders - It is an initiative of the Port Alberni Community Action Team - Families Helping Families

Author: Ron Merk – Ron is the Co-Chair of the Port Alberni Community Action Team He advocates for people with substance or mental health disorders.

Resources

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017). Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Guide for Families. https://archives.nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat-guide-adolescents-508.pdf

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Mind Matters – Drugs and the Brain - https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/parents-educators/lesson-plans/mind-matters/drugs-and-brain

National Institute on Drug Abuse – Drugs, Brains and Behaviour: The Science of Drug Addiction