Risk Factors for Addiction Genetics, Environment, Medical History, Age, Type of Drug, Method of Use, Prevention. Other factors that put a person at risk for addiction include parental substance abuse, trauma, and lack of social ties. These are called individual factors and are part of the “big three” in the areas of risk: individual, environmental and genetic. Environmental factors include high availability of medicines, poverty, lack of laws and enforcement, and social norms.
Anyone can develop an addiction, regardless of their background, social status, or beliefs. It can be difficult to understand why some people are more susceptible to it than others. Regardless of a person's moral code or the way they were raised, there are many factors that can increase the risk of being an alcoholic or drug addict. Genetics, medical history, environment, and other risk factors can contribute to addiction.
Some drugs, as well as the ways to take them, are also more addictive than other types. One of the main risk factors for addiction is heredity. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse states that up to half of a person's risk of addiction to alcohol, drugs, or nicotine is reduced to genetics. That's why it's common for those with family members who have experienced an addiction to become addicts themselves.
Environmental factors can also increase a person's risk of addiction. Children and teens whose parents don't participate properly in their lives may be more at risk and experiment with drugs and alcohol. A young person who experiences neglect or abuse from parents may also turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with their emotions. A person trying to recover from an addiction needs to avoid environmental triggers, which can include people, activities, or environments.
For example, they may need to stay away from people with whom they used to use drugs. Similarly, they may experience cravings in certain situations or social circles, which increases their risk of relapse. This can happen even after a person has been sober for a long period of time. The medical community describes dual diagnosis as having both an addictive disorder and another medical condition, such as anxiety or depression.
Underlying mental health problems can increase a person's addiction risk factors. Similarly, addiction can increase the severity of existing mental health conditions, creating a vicious cycle that causes addiction to progress rapidly and with serious effects. A person may feel that drug or alcohol use decreases their symptoms for some time, but addiction will only make things worse in the long run. Age is another risk factor for addiction.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism conducted a survey that showed that young adults ages 18 to 24 were more likely to have both drug addictions and alcohol use disorders. If a person starts using drugs or alcohol when they are young, it can have an effect on their brain development and make them more susceptible to mental health disorders as they age. The first pillar of The Dawn focuses on rehabilitation by giving clients the vital tools that can help them overcome their negative behavior and encourage them to become independent by giving them the tools they need to live sober lives after rehabilitation. The essentials of our drug and alcohol rehabilitation program include MBCT, which encourages awareness of the present moment and motivates people to handle situations without judgment, as well as the secular 12 Steps, which is a world-famous group therapy model that provides our clients with a safe environment for talk about problems with peers and get social support.
The most obvious risk factor is taking an illicit or mood-altering substance, but a complex network of risk factors can contribute to addiction. Many substances that form the basis of addiction are not chemically addictive. This means that other elements can cause substance use disorders. Many people with no other risk factors try drugs for the first time to connect with a peer group.
Children and teens who struggle with homework or feel socially excluded may be at increased risk of trying drugs and developing substance use disorder. While there are a wide range of risk factors that can lead to addiction, the first use of an addictive substance or participation in behavior that could become addictive often begins after the first experience. Any combination of risk factors can contribute to addiction. Sometimes substance or behavior dependence doesn't require any risk factors to develop.
Family history and home environment contribute greatly to a person's use of a substance. Peers take center stage, providing consensual validation for the unique experiences of early adolescence, a safe haven from the adult-managed worlds of families and schools, a sounding board for identity searches, a launching pad for romantic relationships, and fuel and direction for sensation-seeking and risk-taking behaviors. Research shows that the sooner a person starts using drugs, the higher the risk of addiction later in life. Taking some drugs can be particularly risky, especially if you take high doses or combine them with other drugs or alcohol.
On the other hand, a nurturing home environment, as well as clear rules of conduct in the home, can be protective factors that reduce the potential for drug abuse. Starting to use alcohol, nicotine, or other substances at a young age is one of the strongest and most consistent predictors of an increased risk of addiction. For example, stressors, such as physical or sexual abuse, or the presence of violence, can contribute to a person's risk of addiction. A person who uses heroin or cocaine is likely to experience a physically painful withdrawal period, which can make the process of developing an addiction much faster and even increase the risk of serious complications, such as an overdose.
If left unaddressed, negative behaviors can lead to more risks, such as academic failure and social difficulties, putting children at greater risk of drug abuse in the future. But there are also cultural factors that influence drug use and social factors that affect the consequences of drug use. Some medications, such as opioid pain relievers, have a higher risk and cause addiction faster than others. This increased availability, combined with a lack of understanding of the dangers of prescription drug misuse, affects the risk of addiction.
For example, a person who takes prescription pain relievers after surgery may be at risk of addiction to prescription medications. . .
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