Why do people use
substances in the first place?
Most people have never heard an honest answer to this question. The real reasons are not what our culture has taught us — and understanding them changes everything.
"People use drugs because they actually feel good. It made them feel they could engage with people. It made them feel happy. It made them feel less sad. They took it for a reason."
— Dr. Kima Joy Taylor, Physician & Public Health ExpertWhat the science actually says
The story our culture tells about why people use substances is incomplete. Here's what researchers and physicians have learned instead.
Because it actually feels good.
People who use substances are making a bad choice. If they understood the consequences, they wouldn't start.
Substances produce real sensations the brain registers as valuable — relief, happiness, connection, calm. The brain finds what works and returns to it. That's not a character flaw. That's how brains work.
We can't have an honest conversation about why people use substances without starting here. Pretending it doesn't feel good doesn't protect anyone — it just makes it harder to talk about what's really happening.
Because something is missing — and substances fill that space.
People who use substances lack willpower or discipline. Better choices would solve the problem.
People use substances when other things that should be there aren't. Trusted adults. Safe spaces. Things to look forward to. Ways to process what's hard. When the right supports are missing, people find what works with what's available.
Prevention that actually works isn't a lecture about consequences. It's making sure people have art in school, trusted adults, and something to do in the afternoon.
Because the reasons are the same for everyone.
Substance use disorder happens to a certain kind of person — someone with a particular background, neighborhood, or set of choices.
The reasons people use are not unique to any community, income level, or background. They are universal human responses to universal human experiences. The narrative that "those people" use substances for different reasons than "people like us" is not supported by evidence.
The moment we understand that the reasons are the same for everyone, the "those people" story collapses. What's left is just people — and a system that was never built to actually help them.
The reasons people use substances are not mysterious — or shameful.
Because it actually feels goodReal sensations, real relief. The brain finds what works and returns to it. That's biology.
Because something is missingNo trusted adult, no safe space, nothing to do, no way through what's hard. Substances fill gaps that should have been filled by something else.
Because the reasons are universalUtah and Chicago. Same questions. Same answers. This is not a story about certain kinds of people. It is a human story.
"We have a bizarre understanding of why people use drugs. People use because it's providing a benefit — whether it feels good, because they're self-medicating, or because their body now needs it. You can't build a system to help people until you're honest about that."— Dr. Kima Joy Taylor, Physician & Public Health Expert
So how does something that helps become something that takes over?
Understanding why people use is just the beginning. The next question — how ordinary circumstances compound into something much larger — is where the science gets remarkable.
See how it buildsIf something here felt close to home, that makes sense. You don't have to figure out what it means right now.
Take a private moment to reflect—— UNDERSTANDING PATTERNS
Why do people use substances in the first place?
Most people have never heard an honest answer to this question. The real reasons are not what our culture has taught us — and understanding them changes everything.
DR. KIMA JOY TAYLOR · EXPERT VOICE QUOTE
"People use drugs because they actually feel good. It gave them a sensation that they appreciated. It made them feel they could engage with people. It made them feel happy. It made them feel less sad. They took it for a reason."
–DR. KIMA JOY TAYLOR, PHYSICIAN & PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT
THE REAL REASONS
What the science actually says
The story our culture tells about why people use substances is incomplete. Here's what researchers and physicians have learned instead.
REASON ONE
Because it actually feels good.
WHAT WE'RE TOLD
People who use substances are making a bad choice. If they understood the consequences, they wouldn't start.
WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS
Substances produce real sensations the brain registers as valuable — relief, happiness, connection, calm. The brain finds what works and returns to it. That's not a character flaw. That's how brains work.
IN DR. KIMA TAYLOR'S WORDS
"People use drugs because they actually feel good. It gave them a sensation that they appreciated. It made them feel they could engage with people. It made them feel happy. It made them feel less sad. They took it for a reason."
We can't have an honest conversation about why people use substances without starting here. Pretending it doesn't feel good doesn't protect anyone — it just makes it harder to talk about what's really happening.
REASON TWO
Because something is missing — and substances fill that space.
WHAT WE'RE TOLD
People who use substances lack willpower or discipline. Better choices would solve the problem.
WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS
People use substances when other things that should be there aren't. Trusted adults. Safe spaces. Things to look forward to. Ways to process what's hard. When the right supports are missing, people find what works with what's available.
IN DR. KIMA TAYLOR'S WORDS
"Some of it was boredom — someone took it and it felt good. Well, if I had after school programs, if I could indulge my art, if I could get a job — there are other ways to address this. If you needed it to make you less sad, we need someone to talk to you about why you're sad. If you took it because you're bored, how can we get you busy?"
Prevention that actually works isn't a lecture about consequences. It's making sure people have art in school, trusted adults, and something to do in the afternoon.
REASON THREE
Because the reasons are the same for everyone.
WHAT WE'RE TOLD
Substance use disorder happens to a certain kind of person — someone with a particular background, neighborhood, or set of choices.
WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS
The reasons people use are not unique to any community, income level, or background. They are universal human responses to universal human experiences. The narrative that those people use substances for different reasons than people like us is not supported by evidence.
IN DR. KIMA TAYLOR'S WORDS
"We did focus groups for kids in Utah and kids in Chicago — completely different populations. Same questions. Same thoughts. Same answers. To get to blamelessness, we have to show the humanity of people and why they're using before it becomes a use disorder."