Most child's first contact with drugs begins with the use of experimental drugs in social situations.
Several factors play a role in drug abuse, including family problems and peer influences, overall mental health, and family history of opiate.
Research has shown that people who start experimenting at a young age have a higher chance of developing addiction later in life. This is why it is important to see signs of substance abuse in early adolescence and early adulthood. Most individuals start abusing at least one substance before becoming an addict.
There is a fine line between regular use with abuse and drug addiction. Very few addicts are able to recognize when they have crossed the line. While the frequency or amount of drugs consumed is not always a misuse of drugs or addiction, both of these are often used as indicators of drug-related problems.