Can Boredom Really Lead to Substance Abuse?

By Kia Wakefield

When considering the many reasons why individuals engage in substance abuse, one common yet surprising cause is often overlooked: boredom.

Boredom is a misunderstood emotion that can play a prominent role in drug addiction. It also plays a role in how satisfied people are with their life. Those who are easily bored are at higher risk for depression, drug addiction, anxiety, alcoholism, eating disorders, compulsive gambling, anger and low work performance.

When bored, people are tempted to engage in myriad destructive behaviors, including excessive eating, drinking alcohol and abusing drugs. An article in the February 2007 edition of Scientific America noted bored people exhibit higher risk-taking behavior, and that men are more easily bored than women.

When people use drugs as a way to escape boredom, this is often referred to as recreational drug use. Some of the most common recreational drugs are alcohol, heroin, cocaine, marijuana and amphetamines. In many cases, recreational drug use leads to addiction, which is accompanied by a host of physical and psychological issues.

One way to defeat boredom and drug use is by valuing time. People who truly value their time do things that are conducive to their health, well-being and personal development. People who don’t value their time can be tempted to waste it on unnecessary activities or dangerous pursuits.

Finding a Different Escape Route

For many people who suffer from addictions, drugs and alcohol are ways of with boredom. Addicts may also use drugs as an “escape” from deep-rooted psychological problems.

When substance abuse has become an escape from boredom, it’s time for the individual to find a different escape route. The escape route should have three main characteristics:

1. It should be something that is productive.
2. It should be something that is enjoyable.
3. It should be something that develops personal growth and character.

Many people find fulfillment when they stop doing things for and to themselves and begin to do good things for others. One example of this positive behavior is volunteering with a local charity or other service-oriented organization.

The benefits of volunteering can be physical as well as psychological. For example, when sociologist Allen Luk studied 1,500 volunteers, he found that participants reported increased euphoria, serenity, energy.

Volunteering also gives people an increased sense of control over their life. People who feel that they have a lack of control are often driven to substances such as alcohol or other drugs -- but volunteering can negate such unproductive and self-defeating emotions.

The following steps can also help people overcome boredom, increase their sense of self-worth and develop a healthier and more positive outlook on life:

• Accepting responsibility for one’s own happiness
• Relying on experiences instead of material goods in order to enhance one’s life
• Learning or exploring new activities and hobbies
• Participating in a healthy social network

Teen Boredom

According to a survey by the British charity Drinkaware, many teens turn to alcohol to overcome boredom – a behavior that is problematic on many levels. Teen drinking increases the risk of criminal activity and unprotected sex, which can lead to unwanted pregnancies. Alcohol becomes entertainment when individuals (especially teens) feel that there are no other forms of entertainment present.

One way that parents can combat boredom-related adolescent substance abuse is to get their children involved in a myriad of activities. Having activities both in and out of school gives the child the opportunity to make new friends and stay busy.

An Education Resources Information Center study revealed that students who participate in school activities are less likely to engage in cigarette and marijuana use.

Encouraging a child to pursue interests such as sports, music, theater, community service or other activities can go a long way toward improving self-esteem, enhancing self-worth, building a healthy support network and lessening the likelihood of substance abuse and other unhealthy activities.