Addiction is one of the most misunderstood illnesses of all time. Many people assume that people get addicted because of their character flaws or some other types of shortcomings. On the contrary, addiction is a disease like any other and can happen to anyone.
While it is true that some risk factors make it more prevalent in some people, it is a complex ailment that must be approached as such. Factors such as health conditions, genetics, and environment play a role in addictions. Experts at Skyward Treatment Center know this too well, so they are always willing and ready to offer addicts the support they need to overcome addiction battles.
The complexity of addiction as a disease is even more open in personal experience. Different addicts are affected differently. All it takes is understanding the addicts’ plight and appreciating their struggles. This is the only way to support and offer them help.
Defining Addiction
The first step to getting help is to understand the disease. Addiction is a substance use disorder. This addiction exists only when the substances used hurt the body and affect the normal functioning of the body. To complicate it further, this condition affects both physical and psychological drive, pushing the addict to continue craving and using the substance despite wanting to quit.
One may wonder why the addict continues to use the substance or why they started and became addicted in the first place. The reality is that cause of addiction is not as simple as they seem.
Some of the substances are available legally, and the triggers are social and psychological. The addition comes without intending to since no one starts using a substance with the hope of becoming an addict.
Causes of Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Addiction has unique impacts and causes. Different people are pushed into it by varying factors. Potential risks and causes include:
Genetics
This is twofold. The family history of the addict, as well as their race, could be major contributing factors. People from families with an addiction history are more susceptible to addiction and substance abuse. This is because of D2, a dopamine receptor in the gene. D2 causes addicts to continue craving the substance that always makes them feel good. These traits are hereditary and hence show up in the person’s genes.
Race is the other factor that could trigger addiction. This explains why people from East Asia are not easily addicted to alcohol and substances. A genetic disposition makes them have an unpleasant experience drinking alcohol. The same cannot be said for Native American descendants with many addiction issues.
When gender is considered, anyone can become addicted to substance abuse. However, the risk factors of addiction may be more in one gender than they are in another.
Environment
A person’s surroundings may also affect their risk of addiction. Some people are influenced to start using substances and alcohol just because they hang around people who use them. Other environmental factors that trigger addiction include stress, childhood circumstances, trauma, peer pressure, and social, economic, and cultural influences.
All f these factors can influence the addiction rate. Besides that, a few personal factors serve as addiction risks. These include one’s personality and health conditions.
Regardless of the addiction risk factor or causes, the good news is that addicts can get the help they need to recover. All it takes is to enroll at a dedicated faculty and start treatment immediately. Talk to us to help you on this journey.
