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 aged 35 and over, and beyond that age, there are other features statistically associated with greater use of substances of this type.

Next we will see what are the main characteristics of people who use drugs . Knowing them helps to better manage prevention and care resources in cases where drug addiction compromises the health and quality of life of the population.

What characteristics do people who use drugs usually have?

Firstly, generally men are more prone to illicit drug use and women tend to resort more often to drugs such as hypnosis or tranquillizers. But beyond this there are other issues to be addressed.

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

But are there other addictive behaviors that do not require the physical presence of drugs? Of course, addictions to new technologies, shopping, sex, gambling 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 appearance of addiction as well.

While 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 we found in the frontal lobe generates dopamine and a comforting sensation in 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 of regulating their presence in the brain unconsciously.

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 becomes normal within this system or because the person identifies with the addicted family member and copies his or her consumption behaviour or because this is his or her model for coping with problems .

3. Low frustration tolerance

Normally, people who are less tolerant of suffering or failure (due to lack of experience, a very high level of internal demand or a lack of coping strategies) are more likely to use drugs as a way of momentarily avoiding this internal discomfort .

4. Peer groups where consumption is frequent

Belonging to family, friendly or work groups where consumption is frequent and normalised can have a positive impact on drug consumption because it is associated with a normalised form of leisure, its negative effects are minimised as a result of the appearance of the psychological phenomenon of the “mass” and the availability of the drug is very high.

Furthermore, the group that consumes is frequently not aware of their addiction, does not ask itself why they resort to the drug or why it is increasingly necessary for their enjoyment , and resorts to automated consumption and high economic expenditure to obtain it.

5. Openness to experience

People who are curious and have this personality factor marked (need to try new experiences, feel adrenaline, be a daring person) influence them to try drugs initially looking for an alteration of the state of consciousness or a state of pleasant intoxication but they can influence the addiction because there is a tendency to minimize the risk of adverse consequences and to associate the consumption with moments in which it is done initially on a voluntary basis to provoke more fun.

6. Feeling of emptiness, depression and loneliness

The use not only of illegal drugs but also of drugs is closely related to feelings of anger, sleep disturbances, depression, low mood, loneliness and emptiness . In this case, the person tries to anaesthetize their pain with the presence of drugs or drugs with a sedative and attenuating effect.

The presence of stress at work, the experience of grief or being in a period of adaptation can also influence people to feel 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 seek momentary external relief rather than activate their social support network, start psychotherapy, or develop other healthy wellness activities to address these deficiencies. Adolescents with low self-esteem are prone to use due to social pressure and to feel recognised as members of a group that uses drugs that they admire or wish to belong to.