46.8 million Americans battle with substance abuse, according to the American Addiction Centers, and yet there are still so many questions about what leads to drug addiction. Many become drug users when they experiment with substance use, where a more psychological form of addiction takes hold, while others are born with a genetic predisposition to it. In this article, we will discuss the many factors that lead to addiction.
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Biological Factors
Believe it or not, there may be a genetic reason behind what leads to drug addiction. Genes are passed from a parent to a child, and just like any other disease, a natural tendency to engage in drug abuse can be genetic. In a study by the National Institute On Drug Abuse, it was found that many people are born with genes that cause what is called “low dopamine regulation.” What does this mean? Well, dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is released when you consume a drug. It causes a feeling of pleasure and euphoria that comes when you use a drug. But what does low dopamine regulation have to do with addiction?
Think of the brain as a computer. If one wire is not plugged in correctly, the entire computer will not work. When the brain cannot create dopamine naturally, it will seek other behaviors (including substance abuse) to compensate. In the study mentioned previously, scientists found that several genes cause low dopamine regulation. In other words, one factor behind what leads to drug addiction is our genetics.
Psychological Factors
Another factor surrounding the question: “What leads to drug addiction?” is mental health. Often combined with genetic factors, mental health and mental disorders can lead to drug addiction. When the two work together (i.e., when you have genes that are already going to lead to substance abuse, as well as a mental health disorder), it is called a “co-occurring disorder.”
Mental health disorders can be a factor behind drug addiction for many reasons. As an example, if someone is depressed, they may turn to substance use to feel better. Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, and many mood disorders are often found in those who struggle with drug addiction. This is usually called: “self-medication,” where drugs are abused to self-treat a mental health disorder. What leads to drug addiction, in this case? Well, it is a complex yet simple answer: your mood, alongside your genes, can cause you to abuse drugs to feel better. This then leads to dependency, or having a “need” to use drugs, which causes drug addiction.
Environmental Influences
Sometimes, as we discussed, you can be born with low amounts of chemicals that make you more likely to turn to drugs, and we also discussed how your emotional or mental state can lead to substance abuse. However, there is also an environmental cause.
This typically means the world around you. What leads to drug addiction, in this case, can be found in those who live in locations with high rates of drug use. Though there is no evidence behind this, it is common sense when you think about it: if you go to a high school that has a lot of drug use, it is going to be very easy to come in contact with a substance versus someone who goes to a high school with low amounts of drug use. Other factors, such as high crime rates, high poverty levels, and even social interactions, can lead to drug addiction.
Social Factors
Another factor behind what leads to drug addiction is your interactions with those around you. If a lot of your friends abuse drugs, you are going to be “exposed” to them more, and it does not take too much math to tell you that the more times you are around other drug users, the more likely you will find yourself using them. There is also another factor – one many people do not think about – behind what leads to drug addiction: the fact that it can be seen as “cool” or trendy. This has been a misconception since the early 1960s, yet it leads many to experiment with drugs. When the majority of those around you are doing something, you may do it with them.
Behavioral Factors
Much like we discussed, what leads to drug addiction can be multiple factors, and yet another is our choices in life. If you struggle with drug abuse, you know all too well that though drug addiction is a disease, is it one that you choose, and with the combination of other factors we discussed in the above sections, if you “choose to use,” you put yourself at risk for addiction. Some people are also more likely to engage in substance use because of their hobbies, too, as is the case with many amphetamine abusers in the video gaming community.
Trauma and Stress
Trauma can lead to drug addiction. This is often co-occurring, as we discussed. Trauma at an early age, such as sexual abuse, can lead to the development of emotional disorders. Also, those under a lot of stress may turn to drugs to relieve their feelings. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) often leaves many to turn to substances to cover up negative symptoms.
Availability and Access to Drugs
MDMA (ecstasy or molly) is a known drug used in club scenes. Music festivals account for 32.1% of ecstasy use, and this has been an increasing trend since the 1980s; marijuana use has often been seen as a “safe” drug, primarily due to our culture. The more available drugs are to us, the more likely we are to find ourselves using them. The best example of this is opioid usage. This has become an epidemic, where pain is treated with a prescription for Vicodin or Oxycontin, only to lead to lifelong addiction. Adderall is another prescription that has been on the rise in recent years, with many individuals becoming misdiagnosed with ADHD.
Early Exposure to Drugs
The earlier you are exposed to a drug, the more likely you are to become addicted to it. Study after study has found that because many teenagers and adolescents have brains that are still developing, the use of drugs can severely alter the way chemicals inside of us work. As an example, at a young age, your body is learning to make certain chemicals, and interfering with this natural process cannot only lead to drug addiction but can also lead to medical issues.
Co-Occurring Disorders
We discussed co-occurring disorders or the way multiple factors can lead to drug addiction. Biological factors, such as specific genes, combined with stress, mental health issues, or other items in our lives, create an almost instant psychological and physical addiction. If you are exposed to drugs early on, and you already have a high chance of addiction due to genetics, social factors, or mental health issues, then it is no mystery that addiction can and will occur.
Muse Treatment: A Place to Overcome the Root Causes of Addiction
If you are seeking help from drug use, or you are interested in learning more about it for personal reasons, we want to make sure you are educated on the many factors that can lead to addiction. Remember, we offer a range of treatment options, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy that addresses your underlying issues, community building, and medication-assisted treatment options that can assist you in your journey to recovery. If you need help, reach out to us. We are always here to help and hope you make the right choice. Reach us at (800) 426-1818.
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