
How Does Addiction Develop?
Most people with a substance use disorder will require professional intervention and treatment to achieve sobriety and recovery. This is because of the nature of addiction as a chronic disease. It’s also a complex disease, with many factors contributing to its development, as in other chronic illnesses.
Factors contributing to an addiction to drugs or alcohol include:
- Genetic vulnerabilities can play a role in predisposing someone to addiction.
- Brain chemistry because drugs and alcohol affect the reward system in the brain, increasing the release of dopamine, associated with pleasure and reward. Over time, the brain can depend on the substance to experience pleasure.
- Psychological factors, including trauma, stress, a lack of coping mechanisms and mental health disorders, are addiction risk factors. Some people may use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate or deal with emotional pain or distress.
- Â Environmental factors like peer pressure, availability of drugs or alcohol, socioeconomic status or family environment can all contribute to substance abuse.
- Cultural norms and societal influences toward the use of drugs or alcohol.
- Developmental factors like the age when someone starts using substances can affect addiction.
- Some people are naturally more inclined toward risk-taking behavior, which can include experimenting with drugs and alcohol.
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Various combinations of these factors can influence individuals differently, but treatment involves addressing them through medical, psychological and social interventions.
From the list above, you can see that getting treatment for a substance use disorder isn’t just about abstaining from substances. As you seek a drug and alcohol rehab center in Spartanburg or nearby, you want one that’s holistic in its approach to delve into the underlying components of an addiction for the best recovery outcomes.