Why do people use?

crowd at sunset

People use alcohol and other drugs (AOD) for a variety of reasons:

  • to relax
  • for enjoyment
  • to be part of a group
  • to avoid physical and/or psychological pain
  • experiment out of a sense of curiosity
  • excitement
  • rebellion.1

They may also be used to:

  • cope with problems
  • relieve stress
  • overcome boredom.

AOD use is influenced by many factors, but most people use substances for the benefits (perceived and/or experienced) - not for the potential harm. This applies to both legal and illegal substances.

No one takes a drug to feel worse.

Most people who drink alcohol and/or use legal or illegal drugs do not become dependent on any of these substances.2

Drugs used in Australia

  • Most Australians drink alcohol (85.5%) with 15.6% of the population using illicit drugs. 
  • Cannabis is the most commonly-used illicit drug (10.4%). 
  • A much smaller proportion use illegal drugs, such as crystal methamphetamine (ice) (1.4%), cocaine (2.5%) ecstasy (2.2%), and inhalants (1%).3

Prescribed and over-the-counter drugs can also be used for their psychoactive properties. A drug being used off-script, or not for its prescribed medical purpose, is a growing issue in Australia and leads to an increased risk of harms.

Types of use

Drugs are used in different situations and frequencies, and for different reasons, depending on the individual and their specific point in life. People can move between categories, with one stage not inevitably leading to another, and with no clearly defined start or end stage.

Most people who use AOD do not become dependent or develop serious problems as a result.

  • Experimental use: a person tries a substance once or twice out of curiosity.
  • Recreational use: a person chooses to use AOD for enjoyment, particularly to enhance a mood or social occasion. Most people use substances for this reason and rarely develop problems as a result.
  • Situational use: AOD is used to cope with particular situations such as peer group pressure, shyness in a social situation or stress.
  • Intensive use or 'bingeing': a person intentionally consumes a heavy amount of AOD over a short period, which may be hours, days or weeks.
  • Dependent use: a person becomes dependent on AOD after prolonged or heavy use over time. They feel the need to keep taking the substance to feel normal and/or to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
  • Therapeutic use: a person takes a drug, such as a pharmaceutical, for medicinal purposes.4

Why do people choose certain drugs?

People choose a particular drug mainly for the specific feelings they get from using it. For example, people may use codeine to relieve pain or drink alcohol to relax and relieve stress. Some people take amphetamines to increase energy or use hallucinogens to alter their perception.5

Using one drug doesn’t necessarily lead people to trying other drugs. Research dismisses concerns about so-called 'gateway drugs'.

There is no evidence suggesting people who use cannabis will ‘graduate’ over time to other drugs such as heroin or amphetamines.6

A person's AOD use may be influenced by the availability, price and purity of specific drugs. It’s often a combination of factors that determine which drug a person uses. Usually if supplies of a preferred drug fall (which in turn can significantly increase the price) then people may switch to an alternative drug to satisfy their needs.7