Drug and alcohol addiction are classified as mental issues, true addictions that are beyond a person’s ability to control. Many times a social drink can quickly turn into several drinks a night. Someone who once used to indulge in glass of wine to relax at the end of a long day may find themselves turning toward alcohol to cope with stressful situations. Similarly, someone who uses a prescription medicine as directed by a doctor, may abuse that same medicine in order to decrease psychological pain felt by other situations or events in their life. Research shows that nearly half of those who suffer with drug or alcohol addiction have an underlying mental issue and use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate.

People who suffer with depression will often turn toward drugs or alcohol in order to numb the mental anguish. Anxiety sufferers gladly welcome the relaxing effect of a prescription pill or alcoholic beverage. But these only exacerbate the problem. The depression and anxiety are still present, and become worse with the addition of these substances. Too often people who have seriously debilitating mental challenges turn towards these substances rather than turning to their friends and family because of the social stigma associated with mental illness.

Those who abuse substances often do not recognize the symptoms of the abuse themselves. Family members, friends and coworkers are usually the first ones to bring awareness to the person’s attention. When a person abuses drugs or alcohol, they will often try to cover up their use with lies. Many times they spend money that is intended for other things in order to satisfy their habit. People who abuse can engage in aggressive and violent behavior, causing turmoil and disruption to a family structure. They may lose interest in activities they used to enjoy, and often miss work or become less productive.

Aside from the emotional toll that drug or alcohol abuse can have on people, the physical damage can be enormous. Increased heart rate, decreased liver and kidney function, and impaired cognitive ability are common among people with substance abuse problems. Additionally, people who abuse often engage in extremely reckless behaviors, such as driving under the influence, and put themselves and others at risk of physical injury or even death.

If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or in someone you love, seek help right away. There are licensed professionals available to help address the addictive behavior and get to the root of any psychological issues that may be influencing these reckless impulses. With the right treatment, someone who is in the grips of drug and alcohol abuse can learn how to control their behaviors and begin to live a clean, sober and productive life.

There is a question that is often asked – why do people smoke cannabis?

Globally, marijuana is the most commonly used street drug. A 2007 survey found that 14.4 million people in the America alone had smoked cannabis at least once in the last 30 days.

There are a variety of reasons that people take drugs and we certainly don’t have all the answers. However, there are some classic psychological reasons that people start and continue to smoke weed that we can explore.

Psychological reasons

The psychological reasons for taking drugs can be similar to the reasons that people make purchases, visit certain websites or choose an impulsive or momentary course of action at any particular time.

While dopamine transmitters make up only 1% of the brain they “are wired” in the most important parts.

Dopamine is commonly associated with the “reward system”, providing feelings of enjoyment and reinforcement to motivate a person to perform certain activities.

Dopamine is released and rewards experiences such as food, sex, and drugs.

The function of dopamine transmitters isn’t fully understood but it could explain a variety of “urges” in human behavior. We will naturally be attracted to any activity that provides a reward. It may explain why humans will take drugs for an instantaneous reward when a longer term negative effect is fully understood.

Here is an action flow diagram which may explain the process:

Need for life to change > Take action > Receive benefit > Learn association

We’re conditioned to seek out food and are rewarded with nourishment as well as a “dopamine reward” which is then learned so the process can be repeated. Drugs can also give us a positive experience (the “high”) and this coupled with a “dopamine reward” which is then “learned” and encourages habitual behavior.

This would explain the circular causation that many addicts experience. They are bored (hunger), take drugs (nourishment), are rewarded, learn the association, and then the next time the positive associations are reinforced thus forming a habit.

So, we all have dopamine transmitters but only some of us take drugs. So what are the other reasons?

To fit in / peer pressure

One of the strongest psychological factors to explain behavior is known by a variety of expressions such as “monkey see, monkey do”, “peer pressure” and “social proof”. This can be described as a copying or mimicking of behavior we see around us.

For various reasons we are conditioned to do as others around us are doing. So, simply enough, if there are a lot of people smoking weed around us, we are likely to follow suit.

This pressure to fit in can be a more powerful amongst younger people as we all know. However, taking drugs just to fit in is not the whole picture and should never be understood that way. However, it may be a contributory factor.

Copying of role model / hero

Another reason why people smoke weed is allied to the previous point of copying behavior. People naturally try to copy the behavior of individuals that are held in esteem by a peer group. So copying the drug taking habits of celebrities can be explained in this way.

Alcohol

Some of the most important role models for most people are their parents. Many children “learn” to drink alcohol from their parents and then when the effects of this drug aren’t appreciated marijuana can seem a desirable alternative.

Rebelling

Similarly, depending on the individual and the “stage” in adolescence or young adulthood, smoking grass can seem like a way of differentiating themselves from their parents.

Relax

Life for everyone can be stressful at time. Young people are particularly susceptible to sudden bouts of stress and smoking dope can be seen as a temporary release from this tension

Experiment / take risks

Young people, males in particular, can be prone to taking greater risks and to experiment more than people of other ages.

Religious

Many religions emphasise the importance of smoking cannabis to find oneself spiritually.

Medicinal

Marijuana is known to be a pain reliever for various ailments. For young women it can be particularly helpful in combatting period pains.

Inherited

And lastly, there may be some evidence that a tendency to be addicted to mind-altering substances may be hereditary.

Mississippi is the poster child for Southern charm and personality. Made famous by the cotton fields originating from the rich fertile soil produced from Mississippi river silt and blues music, this state has been the topic of many conversations concerning the South and this nation’s history. Unfortunately the state is now making a name for itself with clandestine meth lab activity and addiction problems.

Fortunately Mississippi is lower than the national average when it comes to citizens who abuse illicit drugs. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2008 8.02% of Americans abuse illicit drugs while in Mississippi the abuse rates are quite a bit lower at 6.39%. Treatment experts are concerned with the sharp increase in meth lab activity and admission to Mississippi rehabs for meth addiction. The increase in meth production began back in 2007 after dealers and cooks were forced to get around restricted sales on ingredients used in the drugs manufacture.

The Federal Combating Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA) went into effect in 2005 which restricted the sale of cold medicines and other products containing pseudoephedrine (PSE). Methamphetamine can be produced in a variety of ways by mixing various chemicals that create reactions designed to change the molecular structure of PSE into methamphetamine. This makes PSE the primary ingredient needed for all meth “cooks” regardless the method employed.

Addicts and dealers soon found ways around these new restrictions by creating new means of getting PSE called “smurfing”. Smurfing is the act of several people going to several locations and purchasing the maximum amount of cold tablets allowed per person until an amply quantity is obtained. Also, a new method of cook was developed known as “shake and bake” where more transportable one-pot cooks are used producing smaller quantities more frequently.

These new methods of clandestine meth lab activity lead to a 76% increase in meth lab incidents across the country through 2009. Remarkably clandestine meth lab incidents grew by 334% in Mississippi during that same time frame. As a result lawmakers passed legislation requiring a prescription for products containing PSE in 2009 that went into effect July 1, 2010. Although the final numbers have yet to be determined by law enforcement, the last half of 2010 shows a sharp decline in meth related activity.

In 2006, after experiencing a major meth epidemic, Oregon spear-headed legislation tactics like this passing laws requiring drugs with PSE to prescription drug status that same year. Clandestine meth lab activity dropped from 464 to 12 three years later. Law enforcement in Oregon reports an obliteration of meth labs and addiction treatment admissions. Since these laws went into effect Mississippi officials are reporting a nearly two-thirds drop in meth activity statewide.