Understanding Addiction
The effects of addiction on a person’s body, mind, and soul are far-reaching and complicated, making addiction a complex illness. Most cases of substance abuse and addiction can be traced back to a specific event or series of events, and it is essential to treat these underlying causes of addiction if recovery is to be sustained.
Stress, mental illness, trauma, and a family background of addiction are among the most prevalent causes of addiction. One can lower their chances of developing an addiction if they are aware of the factors that contribute to the onset of chronic substance abuse and addiction. Here, we’ll talk about the causes of addiction.
The Major Causes of Addiction
Addiction has many possible causes. Here are the main factors that have been linked to drug and alcohol addiction.
- Trauma
Experiences that exceed one’s coping capacity may be both physically and mentally traumatic. There is a link between addiction and traumatic experiences. Although many addicts have been through traumatic events, remember that not everybody who has been through trauma will end up with addiction. Some individuals resort to drugs and alcohol to deal with or lessen the pain caused by a traumatic incident.
Experiencing traumatic events as a child significantly increases the likelihood of having a substance abuse problem later in life. Young individuals with PTSD (from trauma experienced in childhood) are more likely to have substance abuse issues, which may progress to addiction, than young persons without PTSD. In particular, when experienced at a young age, such trauma might serve as a precipitating factor in developing an addiction. Drug and alcohol abuse is a common coping mechanism for those who have experienced trauma and are trying to overcome the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Environmental Factors and Genetics
Addiction is heavily influenced by genetics. There is less than 1% difference in the DNA of any two people. However, even this slight variation can impact many other types of health problems, including addiction. You inherit around half of your propensity to get addicted to drugs or alcohol. If either of your parents had addiction problems, you are more predisposed to developing your own.
Addiction is also more likely to develop in children exposed to alcohol and drug use. Substance abuse in the house sends a message to children that it’s okay to experiment with drugs and alcohol.
- Mental Health
Addiction may have its roots in various places, including mental health issues. According some research, half of all people with a mental disorder also struggle with substance abuse. Drug or alcohol addiction affects around one-quarter of those with significant mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.
Addiction is exacerbated by the depression and anxiety that may result from untreated mental illness. Co-occurring disorders refer to the simultaneous presence of a mental health condition and substance abuse problem, and they can be addressed via dual diagnosis therapy. The goal is to get help for both the mental health issues and addiction; hence breaking the cycle.
Mallard Lake Detox Offer the Best Addiction Treatment in Houston
Professional handling of substance abuse problems is necessary, no matter what triggered the addiction. Our addiction treatment programs at Mallard Lake Detox Center are individualized to each patient based on their unique circumstances and history of substance abuse. We also offer dual diagnosis treatment for patients suffering from mental health issues and addiction. Contact Mallard Lake Center today and break the vicious cycle of your addiction.
