I use opiates to function in reality. I have severe social anxiety, severe depression/very low self-esteem, and I am very delusional. On opiates, my social anxiety subsides, my delusions subside, and I feel like I can accomplish the goals I want to (go back to college, get a degree, become a research scientist).
I am able to drive around town without worrying that others will make fun of the music I am listening to (even with my windows closed and the volume at a normal level), and I can go shopping for whatever I need, without worrying about what people think of how I look, how I walk, what I am buying, how I pay for what I buy, and how I talk.
I also always hear people talking about me, laughing at me, everywhere I go. They also all stare at me, and inside their heads even they are making fun of me. Those are the delusions, and on opiates, I forget about all that. The painful tension in my head from all these people looking at me, laughing at me, and judging me, it disappears, and I actually look approachable to girls, not like I want to kill everyone.
So, I'd say I use drugs to be a part of reality. I can't stay in my room forever, and expect to get anything done, not to mention I am back living at my parents house after taking a sabbatical from college. I don't use drugs to simply forget about the things I've fucked up, or what I have to do, I use them so I can resolve those problems, and get done my obligations. I use them to do my homework, to write those long ass papers, and to actually socialize like normal, healthy human beings do. Those are the reasons I use drugs.
