We all know of the risks, by why do people still do it?

It's all about influence.

Yes I agree it is madness! However, in my experience most people who try to block out everything are trying to escape from some type of pain. With most individuals it happened so long ago that they don't even remember why they do it any more. It probably started off as a conscious effort, but now it is an addiction. As we all know, any addiction leads to destruction if not dealt with.

Even with knowing the risks of alcohol and drugs, people still do it. I think because most of the time people think they can handle it and it won't really affect them when they first begin using alcohol and drugs.

This statement resonates with me because when dealing with a loved one that is addicted, we do tend to ask the OP's question. Why, do people do the things they do? This is also why, I was asking in another thread what people think about the influence of nature vs nurture. It is just so complicated to make generalizations.

It is also too easy to make judgements. It is so true, just because someone makes a bad choice does not make them a bad person. This is why, I struggle with the issue of being too much of an enabler vs turning my back on people I love. I just refuse to give up hope!

I don't know but I know six medical professionals that all smoke and they know more than anyone else how bad it can be and they see the devastating effects of it every single day but they refuse to quit. I think it might be a "nothing bad will happen to me" mentality possibly, that and some people don't realise how bad their problem is, they genuinely think that they are only having a few drinks or that they don't smoke much.

We are curious beings and risk takers. We like to experience things by ourselves and not be told about how it feels. And then in most cases one taste usually leads to another and another and another until we realize that we can't do without it anymore.