Patterns of drug use

Question 1

How do patterns of drug use affect drug dependence?

Answer 1

Drug dependence can stem from different patterns of drug use. Not everyone uses drugs in the same way, individuals patterns vary, often dependent on type of drug as not all lead to dependence.

Question 2

What are the 5 main categories of patterns of use.

Answer 2

• Experimental
• Social/recreational
• Situational - e.g. using amphetamines before an exam
• Intensive use
• Dependent use

Question 3

What are these patterns determined by

Answer 3

• Genetics - e.g. gender - In EU, men are more likley to use illicit drugs. They out number women in treatment clinics 80:20.
• Age - more common in late adolescent/early adulthood
• Socioeconomic factors - e.g. highly educated at uni party culture
• Access to drugs - the most used and abused are the most readily available.

Question 4

What do these factors do?

Answer 4

Once initially used, the combination of factors can lead to drug dependence and therefore persistent use.