Why Does Addiction Happen?
It’s impossible to narrow the reasons people get addicted to drugs and alcohol down to just one or two. In fact, there are many possible causes of addiction, and every person is different.
If you or someone you love struggles with substance abuse, it may seem like there’s no way out. It may help to understand the causes of addiction, which can allow you to address your addiction at its root.
Ongoing Substance Use: The Simplest Cause of Addiction
Many people get addicted to drugs and alcohol simply because of ongoing substance use. Over time, substances begin to affect the brain and behavior in general. This is due primarily to our dependence on dopamine.
Dopamine is the chemical your brain makes that allows you to feel happy, joyful, and an overall feeling of contentment with your life. When you begin using drugs or alcohol, your brain’s dopamine levels surge, which is what causes the euphoric or “high” feeling.
With continued substance use, and as time goes on, the brain becomes dependent upon drugs or alcohol for dopamine. In a sense, it “forgets” how to produce it on its own. The result is a person who no longer knows how to feel normal without abusing substances.
Trauma and Addiction
For many individuals, trauma is what lies at the core of their addictive behaviors. A traumatic event is any event that causes shock, fear, or danger that impacts a person emotionally and/or physically.
People can become traumatized by everything from car accidents and earthquakes to childhood bullying and losing a loved one. It is highly subjective and quite often linked with substance abuse.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, trauma may cause various reactions, including:
- Anger
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Problems sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Ruminating on the event
Unfortunately, it’s common for trauma victims to turn to substances as coping mechanisms. For many, substance abuse becomes a way to self-medicate these and other symptoms. This can lead to people struggling with co-occurring disorders, which require dual diagnosis treatment for recovery.
What are the Risk Factors for Addiction?
Certain risk factors make it more likely for a person to become addicted to drugs and/or alcohol.
A Family History of Substance Use
There has been much debate over the years regarding how much influence a person’s genes have over their tendency to form addictions. Many experts agree that a person’s genetics make up around 50% of the risk factors for addiction.
However, keep in mind that it isn’t just that it’s “in a person’s genes.” Family environment also plays a role, and children often copy the behaviors of their parents.
Mental Health Issues
Trauma is not the only mental health issue that can lead to substance abuse. Anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and more may all cause a person to seek out drugs or alcohol as coping mechanisms.
A Person’s Age of First Substance Use
Young people who first use drugs or alcohol in their teen years are much more likely to struggle with addiction later on. However, recovery is possible at any age.
Addiction Treatment Is Available
There is hope for you if you are battling an addiction. At Focus Treatment Centers, we target the root cause to improve your chances of long-term success.
Are you ready to take the next step? Contact us today, or call (423) 308-2560.
