A Review of Reasons for Using or Not Using Drugs: Commonalities between sociological and clinical perspectives

Abstract

Sociological and clinical perspectives are combined to provide insight into motives for drug use and cessation. Drug use appears less problematic from a sociological perspective, many drug users just 'grow out of it', or use drugs in a controlled way. However, relapse rates are higher, and controlled use is less likely, among clinical populations. Despite the greater heterogeneity of community samples, motivational or protective factors (e.g. avoidance of certain situations) appear similar to clinically based research. Cessation is linked to negative consequences of drug use. Non-avoidance of drug use settings (e.g. social pressure), and intrusive thoughts (e.g. cravings) about drugs emerge as the greatest cause of relapse. Emergent themes of avoidance and intrusion indicate that 'post-traumatic stress' research could provide an interesting avenue for future clinical approaches.