The Causes of Drug AddictionThe causes of drug addiction are not easily defined. They can be as unique as the individual who becomes addicted to drugs. But there are factors that could lead to an addiction.Author Richard S. Sandor, M.D., discusses the causes of drug addiction in his book, Thinking Simply About Addiction: A Handbook for Recovery  . Addiction, he argues, is much like disease in that it is not simply a virus that causes illness. It also depends on the individual and how strong his immune system is.
Study of AddictionThe same is true for drug addiction, Sandor says. In his book, he cites a study done on a group of 400 men from Boston that started in the 1940s when they were in junior high and lasted for many years.
Over the years, approximately 25 percent of the men became alcoholics. At the end of the study, some of the factors that were not associated with alcoholism included low IQ, being in a low socioeconomic class, being highly competent, being in a dysfunctional family, having childhood emotional problems, not having maternal supervision or having a warm relationship with their mothers. However, the factors that were associated with alcoholism and also potentially could be the causes of drug addiction include a family history of addiction, growing up with addiction in the family, behavior problems at school, a lack of a cohesive family, less than a tenth grade education and being in jail at least twice. Possible CausesHere are some of the factors that Sandor says could be some of the reasons people become addicted to drugs:GeneticsHaving a genetic disposition toward addiction and then being exposed to (and taking) a drug. Addictive tendencies will never become a full-blown drug addiction unless you start taking opiates.Methods of UseSnorting cocaine does not seem be as powerfully addictive as taking it intravenously. Also, those who smoke “freebase” or crack cocaine are likely to become quickly addicted to crack cocaine.Social FactorsSome of the factors that can lead to drug addiction include a stressful environment, such as moving to a new town and school or suffering a painful loss. Other causes include how available the addictive substance is, and how great peer pressure is.Psychological FactorsPeople with psychiatric disorders are at a far greater risk of developing a drug addiction. Also, personality could well be one of the factors that lead to drug addiction. Someone with a self-centered, narcissistic personality, who demands attention and expects to be constantly rescued could very likely become addicted to drugs.More Information on Drug Addiction and Its CausesDepression and Drug Addiction could be linked, with some people turning to prescription pain pills to self-medicate their depression. Learn more.PTSD and drug addiction have a strong connection, ant those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder face a high risk of becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol. Back pain drug addiction. Does one lead to another? They can, especially if you are prescribed opioid drugs, such as Vicodin and Percocet to ease your pain. Depression and drug abuse are a vicious cycle. Not only can depression lead to drug abuse, but by abusing your brain with drugs, you are setting yourself up for even worse depression than you had before. So why would anyone risk such a vicious cycle by abusing drugs? Theories of drug addiction abound these days. More than 20 million people in the United States who were 12 or older used illicit drugs in 2008. But why do people really become addicted to drugs? ADHD drug abuse is a serious epidemic few people in authority are willing to recognize, and unlike other types of drug abuse, the abuse doesn't start with the abuser but your school. Peer pressure and drug abuse is definitely one of the causes of drug addiction, and the child who keeps company with kids who do drugs is far more likely to abuse drugs as well. But there are ways you can combat peer pressure and keep your child off drugs. |
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We'll let you know about the latest happenings in treatments for drug addiction, effects of different drugs and where you can go to get help. In the future we'll also have real life drug addiction stories and how others are getting off drugs. This ezine is your source for what's going on with surviving drug addiction.