Why do certain individuals choose to take illicit substances?

Yes, I just read about Hoffman. What an absolute waste of a life, and an incredible talent! So many actors just cannot deal with the constant pressure of living their life in front of millions of people.

Some people have a really bad drug problem. My uncle started when he was around 21 or so; he is now in his early 70s and I am amazed that he is still alive. He looks like a cadaver!

You questioned whether people become addicts when they are in pain. Well, I have been in pain for much of my later years; I rarely even take prescription medication. I would hate to not be completely aware of my surroundings!

There are many different categories for drugs and why people take them. Cannabis LSD and mushrooms can be very mind expanding and safe whilst drugs such as heroin and crystal meth can get people ridiculously high and addicted and ruin lives. You just have to be well educated on substances.

Manic depression and pain killers go hand in hand. Whether the drugs be legal drugs or illegal drugs, people take them to make the world go away. They cannot cope with life and the drugs stop their mind from continually running with negative thoughts. Without knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, I cannot see how anyone copes with life today. Without hope that Christ gives to us many people live in hopelessness. When I cannot trust anyone else, I can always trust the Lord. I hold His promises close to my heart and He promises never to leave me or forsake and that no weapon formed against shall prosper. He has wonderful promises and they not only give me great hope but a peace that surpasses all understanding. Why do you think Americans hold to their faith in God?

Why do you think we added "In God We Trust" to our money? Why do you think our Constitution is dated "In the Year of Our Lord?'

Whoa Whoa Whoa, let's some sh1t straight. First, marijuana(vaporized), LSD, and most other psychedelics have no physical harms. Most people use these drugs as exploring the depths of their mind. The mild hallucinogens(yes, marijuana is a hallucinogen. It's a very weak and mild one, but by the definition of hallucinogen, it is one) are used to replace tobacco and alcohol, which are not illicit, that cause more harm. Also, withdrawals from these drugs are usually psychological and cause no where near the danger that the hard drugs do.

As to the "hard drugs," most people that use it have difficult lives to start with. The addiction is both mental and physical. The addicts need both medical and psychological treatment, not jail.

People wish to escape. Drug use is a form of escape.

Most people who overdose do so accidentally i.e. they are unaware of the direct consequences of their actions. If they knew the next hit would kill them, they'd use a bit less of the substance, obviously.

for the same reason people drink and smoke? to relax or otherwise enjoy an experience in life? some dont know how to leave such things as experiments in life and instead fall into patterns

they are addicts..even pot can be addictive...they are in denial that they are addicts..they think they are "different" ..the only life an active addict will have is either- incarceration,insane asylums or death