Health

Common Risk Factors of Addiction

Most people can testify that recovering from addiction is one of the most challenging tasks you can go through. Addiction harms your health, ruins your relationships with people close to you, and affects your overall life quality. Most people may not be aware that regardless of your moral code, there are factors that increase your chances of becoming an addict. If you have difficulties managing addiction, consult a psychiatrist in Chicago, IL, for effective therapy.

It would be unfair to judge an addict and say they lack will power or morals. There are specific chemical reactions that an addict experiences that will not occur in a non-addict. This is why people use drugs because they need them to function while others do it to have fun. Anyone can become an addict. However, the risk factors below increase the chances of certain people. 

Genetics

According to statistics, almost 50% of addiction cases are hereditary. This could be the reason addiction can be observed to run in families. You may find that a person in your family was an addict, and later on, you also become an addict. Even if you do not fall into the same category as your parent, you will likely fall for another addiction. For example, a parent may be an alcoholic and their child a gambler.

Using from an early age

Studies show that individuals who start using drugs at any age of around 18 years are likely to become an addict compared to those who begin using at older ages. Therefore it can be said to be a factor that influences addiction. This is because an individual’s brain is still developing at a young age, and it’s more vulnerable to mental health disorders.

Type of drug

Depending on the choice of drug use, the rate of addiction may change. Some may become addicted very quickly while others take months. The type of drug is also likely to affect the withdrawal stage when the person eventually decides to quit drugs. For example, a cocaine user will most certainly experience a more painful period than an alcoholic during withdrawal. Such individuals have high chances of developing other complications.

Environment

The environment of the person may influence addiction. For example, a child who has been abused when growing up is likely to become an addict. Additionally, parents of families with domestic violence have a high probability of turning to drugs such as alcohol to help cope with emotions.  Other environmental factors include peer pressure when young people join groups that abuse drugs. This is why the environment plays a significant role in the recovery period when a person decides to quit.

Risks change

As one progresses into adulthood, the risks of addiction change. They become exposed to so much, and their emotions are affected by day to day stress. Therefore, vulnerability increases. If you are finding it hard to quit, find a professional for therapy and counseling. Specialists at Uptown Psych offer cognitive behavior therapy and specific medications to treat addiction. Additionally, they have various support groups. Book an appointment online today. 

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