Cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, heroin--all are drugs that are addictive. Just as every person is different, so, too, are their contributing factors to drug addiction. No matter the reason, a drug addict often feels helpless; a prisoner to his drug of choice. To break this cycle, the underlying cause of addiction typically needs to be determined.
The Gene Factor
Drug addiction has a tendency to run in some families and not in others, as both the Mayo Clinic and the website for Drug Addiction Support explain. Those with relatives who abuse drugs are at a greater risk for doing the the same.
Environmental Factors
While genes may play a role, they do not always tell the whole story. As Drug Addiction Support points out, children are more susceptible to becoming drug addicts, or falling prey to drug addiction, if this is the chosen lifestyle of their parents.
Social Pressure
The Mayo Clinic warns that social pressure plays a role in drug addiction. In many cases, social pressure pertains to teens, as they have an incessant need to feel accepted and a desire to be cool. But social pressure can often affect adults as well.
Type of Personality
Some personality types are more prone to addiction than others. According to Drug Addiction Support, these include people who are curious and willing to experiment, those who use drugs as a means of relaxing and those who suffer from conditions such as stress and anxiety. According to the Mayo Clinic, a person with psychological conditions, such as depression or attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, is also more prone to drug addiction.
Feeling Lonely
Drug Addiction Support explains that when a person is feeling lonely, he may use drugs. For a short time, the drug of choice makes the person feel better, replacing the sadness with the happiness he desires.
Easy To Find
One of the major reasons for drug addiction is how accessible drugs are. According to Drug Addiction Support, drugs are available everywhere--shopping malls, private schools and job sites.
