What are the risk factors for addiction?

What are the risk factors for addiction?

There isn’t one specific cause of addiction. Many factors contribute to a person’s risk, and anyone can develop a substance use disorder.

Certain factors increase the risk, including:

• Genetics: Substance use disorders can be inherited (passed down through families). If you have a family history of addiction, you are at a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will. For example, novelty seeking and impulsivity are inherited traits often seen in individuals with substance use disorders but that doesn’t mean that you will develop a substance use disorder if you have these traits.
• Environmental factors: A combination of lifestyle and environmental factors also contribute to developing an addiction. These factors include violence, poverty, having access to substances, taking drugs during adolescence and extreme stress or trauma.
• Drug use: All addictive substances (including opioids) cause changes in the brain’s “reward center.” These changes make the person crave more and more drugs to keep feeling pleasure. The cravings can be so strong that drugs become the main focus. Some individuals are affected by these substances more so than others for a variety of reasons. You may ignore relationships, job responsibilities and other obligations.
• Mental health disorders: Bipolar disorder, PTSD and depression often occur along with substance use disorders. People with mental health disorders have an increased risk of developing substance use disorders.
• Being a member of the LGBTQ community: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder. Many LGBTQ individuals may use drugs or alcohol to cope with discrimination and violence.