Though there are millions of people around the world that suffer from various forms of addiction, studies indicate that only a handful of these people seem to suffer from symptoms that would classify them as addicts. In combining these statistics with the fact that those that do become addicted often seem to be completely random samples, with no similarities, it is easy to see that there seems to be no direct correlation between any particular trigger (or set of triggers) and a user’s propensity for becoming addicted. However, in recent years, researchers have actually found that there are in fact a few distinguishable triggers and circumstances that can help determine a person’s propensity for addiction. While the following in no way constitutes all of the reasons an individual may be more likely to become an addict, it is a good place to start. The first situation that could act as a precursor to addiction stems from an individual’s background. People that were born to addicts are considered to be 8 times more likely to become addicted than those that were born to non-addicts, according to a study employed by the University of Utah. This includes birth to parents that may not have actually been addicted at the time of birth, and birth to those that were addicted at time of birth. Of course, the severity of the addiction and the substance to which the addiction was tied all comes into play as well. Regardless of the intricacies, though, the fact remains that addiction is much more likely for these individuals. The next situation involves the individual’s environment. Things like the age of the user, his or her family makeup, the stress level involved and even the amount of peer pressure can greatly influence an individual’s propensity to become addicted. Those individuals that have experienced sustained mental or physical abuse are more apt to become addicted, as are those that frequently experience high levels of stress. This stress can be from a number of sources, but family or social-related stressors tend to be the most common. Finally, the type of drug used and the way it is administered can greatly affect a person’s chances of addiction. Particular drugs, like heroin, are much more addictive than drugs like marijuana. If an individual gets hooked quickly on heroin, they will be more apt to become addicted. Additionally, if an individual smokes or shoots drugs, the drugs enter the bloodstream faster, which increases the chances of addiction.
Addiction may be able to be predicted, but it can’t be controlled without professional help. Here at Oceanfront Recovery, we’re the addiction experts you need to turn your life around. Call us at (877)279-1777 today!
