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What Causes Addiction?

person stressed searching laptop for causes of addiction

In the interest of addiction prevention, many have tried to determine the causes of addiction. We believe that if we can figure out what causes someone to turn to drugs or alcohol and develop an addiction, then we should be able to prevent it. Unfortunately, it is much more complex than a simple cause-and-effect relationship. However, learning about some of the potential causes of addiction can help you decrease the risk of yourself or your loved ones developing substance use disorder.

At Midwest Center at Youngstown, we understand that there are a variety of reasons why people use drugs or alcohol. We aim to educate people about the risks of addiction and carefully plan our programs around safe, effective addiction treatment designed to help our patients achieve lasting recovery. To learn more about how we can help you or your loved one heal from drug or alcohol addiction, call us today at 844.544.0502.

The Main Causes of Addiction

Knowing the main causes of addiction can help you decrease the risk of developing a drug or alcohol addiction. But some of the risks are unavoidable, and you may need to be more vigilant to keep yourself from falling victim. These are the top causes of addiction:

  • Home environment
  • Genetics
  • Social circle
  • Mental health

Each of these factors can apply to your risk of developing drug or alcohol addiction.

What Are the Causes of Drug Addiction?

While many of the causes of both drug and alcohol addiction overlap, they can manifest in different ways. To help decrease the risk of drug addiction in your life, it helps to be aware of the following potential causes:

  • Your family’s attitude toward drugs can color your view on them, either emphasizing or minimizing the risks. If your mother turns to pills to deal with stress or unhappiness or your father smokes marijuana to wind down after a tough day at work, you may respond to your problems in the same way.
  • Your genetics can make you more susceptible to developing an addiction. Based on your genetics, you may be a person who develops a dependence more quickly after using smaller amounts of a substance than another person.
  • Your social circle matters. Experimentation, peer pressure, and the desire to fit in are common causes of drug addiction. 
  • Untreated mental health conditions can make you more likely to self-medicate with drugs designed to elevate your mood or help you feel calm and relaxed.

What Are the Causes of Alcohol Addiction?

The causes of alcohol addiction can stem from some of the same sources as those of drug addiction. Here is how they may affect your risk of alcohol abuse:

  • Your family’s use of alcohol can contribute to your risk of alcohol addiction. Drinking may be a normal part of every family gathering, making addiction more difficult to avoid, especially if you have already begun to develop alcohol dependence.
  • Your genetics can affect how likely you are to suffer from alcoholism. While one person may be perfectly fine limiting themselves to one drink at happy hour, your biology may drive you to crave more alcohol and find it difficult to stop drinking once you have started.
  • If your friends like to go out drinking often, you may drink more frequently than you otherwise would, which can put you at a higher risk of addiction.
  • Mental health conditions can make you more likely to engage in alcohol use to help you forget your problems and feel more relaxed. 

Midwest Center at Youngstown: Reliable Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Ohio

When you are aware of the causes of addiction, you can take measures to help prevent it from happening to yourself or your loved ones. At Midwest Center at Youngstown, we understand that addiction can still happen even with the best of intentions. Give us a call today at 844.544.0502 to reclaim your life from drug and alcohol addiction.