7 common characteristics of people who use drugs.

This is the usual profile of people who engage in substance abuse.

Drug use is the order of the day in Spain, especially if we talk about cocaine and cannabis. Drug use is more common in adults aged 35 and older, and beyond age, there are other traits statistically associated with a higher consumption of substances of this type.

In the following we will see what the main characteristics of people who use drugs are. 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.

What characteristics do people who use drugs usually have?

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

What type of drug is most prevalent in Spain? According to studies, most people who detoxify tend to consume alcohol or cocaine..

But 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 and more frequent. However, the brain mechanisms involved in these types of addictions are the same as with the presence of physical drugs and the personal, social, family and neuronal characteristics that influence the onset of addiction are also the same.

Although none of these characteristics or traits determine the onset of addiction, it is possible to identify those that may make a person more susceptible to developing a drug addiction.

1. Low levels of dopamine in the brain

The brain reward system found in the frontal lobe in the frontal lobe generates dopamine and a comforting sensation when faced with pleasurable situations, in this case, the initial and voluntary consumption of drugs. Generally, those people with a lower level of this neurotransmitter may be hooked on drugs as a way of regulating their 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 may be common to resort to drug use either because it is normalized within this system or because the person identifies with the addicted family member and copies his or her consumption behavior or because that is their model of coping with problems..

3. Low frustration tolerance

Normally people who tolerate suffering or failure less well (due to lack of experience, a very high level of internal demands or lack of coping strategies) are more prone to drug abuse as a form of momentary escape from this internal discomfort..

4. Peer groups in which drug use is frequent.

Belonging to family, friendship or work groups in which drug use is frequent and normalized can have a positive impact on drug use because it is associated with a normalized form of leisure, its negative effects are minimized as a result of the appearance of the psychological phenomenon of the "mass" and the availability of the drug is very high.

In addition, the frequent users are not aware of their addiction, do not ask themselves why they are using the drug and why it is becoming increasingly necessary for their daily lives. why it is increasingly necessary for their enjoyment, and they resort to drug use.They resort to automated consumption and high economic expenditure to obtain the drug.

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 them to try drugs initially looking for an alteration of the state of consciousness or a state of pleasant intoxication but can influence addiction because there is a tendency to minimize the risk of adverse consequences and to associate consumption with moments in which it is initially done voluntarily to provoke greater enjoyment.

6. Feeling of emptiness, depression and loneliness

The consumption not only of illegal drugs but also of pharmaceuticals is strongly related to feelings of irascibility, sleep disturbances, depression, low mood, loneliness and emptiness.. In this case, the person tries to anesthetize his Pain with the presence of drugs or drugs with sedative and attenuating effect.

The presence of work stress, the experience of bereavement or being in a period of adaptation can also influence people to feel attracted to drug use.

7. Low self-esteem

People with low self-esteem may feel that their emotional well-being does not depend on themselves and look for a momentary external relief instead of activating their social support network, starting psychotherapy, or developing another healthy activity that causes well-being and covers these deficiencies. Adolescents with low self-esteem are prone to consumption due to social pressure and to feel recognized as members of a group. and to feel recognized as members of a drug-using group they admire or want to belong to.