Substance abuse and addiction are misunderstood. People tend to think the addict has a choice, that if he or she wanted to quit they could. That is not true, substance abuse and addiction rise from one or more factors that cause a person to begin using substances and or alcohol.
Reasons people become addicted
Addiction is a disease and often is linked to mental health. Let’s look at some of those factors that cause people to begin abusing substance and or alcohol and leads to addiction. Some of these factors are:
- Genetics can have a lot to do with someone becoming addicted. For some, they think one drink or one time of trying a drug won’t hurt them but then their genetics has them hooked. Genetics is not something you can see and won’t understand until it happens so you can’t prevent it other than not trying any alcohol or substances.
- Family history of addiction, people who have a family history of addiction are more likely than others to become addicts themselves.
- Peer pressure gets a person started on substance or alcohol abuse and leads to addiction for many. It is hard when you’re a teenager and just wants to fit in to say no to others who are drinking or smoking marijuana.
- Co-occurring mental health conditions can cause addiction quicker. Mental health conditions like depression, the patient wants to feel good so they take a drug. When they come down from that drug they feel worse so they take more. It is a vicious cycle.
- Trauma physical, emotional, or sexual abuse at an early age can lead to addiction as the person tries to forget about that trauma by drinking it away or using drugs to stop thinking about it.
- Socioeconomic level, people in lower-income families tend to become addicted as they feel they have no opportunity to rise above their plight.
- Social Anxiety for some people is hard so they have a drink or two to loosen them up and feel less anxious in social settings. This can lead to substance and or alcohol abuse which then leads to addiction.
- Being prescribed opioids for a physical injury and having a genetic disposition to addiction can cause some people to become hooked on opioids like Vicodin or Oxycodone.
These are just some of the reasons people start using and become addicts.
Reasons to stop the addiction
Everyone has a purpose in life when we remind our friend or family member that they are loved and have a purpose that needs a clear mind we can help inspire them to join a recovery program to become sober.
At 449 Recovery they can learn the skills and tools to achieve and maintain sobriety. We offer a continuously monitored detox program and other therapies that can help you or your loved one reach recovery and maintain it. Call us today (855) 435-7449 to learn more about the treatment options 449 Recovery offers to help you achieve success.