9 Reasons for Alcohol and Drug Abuse

1.  To Ease Suffering for people with Anxiety, Major- and Bipolar depression

2. Role Model Identification (e.g. family members, friends, heroes, public icons)

3. Boredom – especially under teenagers. Escaping into altered reality

4. Trying to cope with stress and life challenges

5. Prescription drugs are seen as “safe”

6. Dependency on prescription drugs

7. Softening unresolved painful memories and experiences

(traumatic events e.g. divorce, molestation, rape, assault, robbery, loss of loved one, life-threatening experiences)

8. Social integration and acceptance (“fitting-in”)

9. Chasing the “HIGH” created by drugs – wanting to “feel good”