Addiction can affect anyone from any background – age, economic status, age, ethnicity, gender, or race. While the majority of people who use alcohol do develop an addiction, others may become addicted or develop a dependency. While risk factors for addiction vary per person, there are some common variables that determine if a user becomes addicted.
Below, we explore some of the risk factors of addiction, so that you know what to look for. If you have any further questions or feel that you may need for substance abuse, contact Right Step Hill Country today.
Common Risk Factors for Addiction
Like any other disease in the body, there are risk factors for addiction including:
Genetics
You may have noticed that drug or alcohol addiction runs in your family. If so, this may be due to a genetic predisposition that you have toward certain substances. Genetics are not always easy to identify if part of the reason why you become addicted to a certain substance is that you are exposed to it all of the time.
Chemical Makeup in the Brain
The way your brain is wired can have a lot to do with whether you gravitate to drugs or alcohol. Each person’s brains respond to stimuli in different ways. This explains why some people don’t use substances at all and others may be addicted to a wide range of substances.
Psychology
Psychology is a combination of genetics, brain characteristics, and the environment. As such, you may have a mental disorder brought on by any or all of the above common risk factors for addiction. Common psychological factors include depression, anxiety, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, or ADHD.
Environment
As we noted above, your environment has a lot to do with whether or not you develop an addiction to certain substances. If your parents, grandparents, or siblings drink or use drugs all of the time, you may eventually start to use them. Furthermore, substance abuse may appear to be normal in your environment.
Early Use
Did you start drinking or taking drugs at a young age? Teenagers that start using substances at an early can form an addiction before they reach adulthood. They may become addicted to alcohol, illicit drugs, or prescription medication. If you carry substance abuse into adulthood, you may find that it is harder to stop.
What Are the Signs of Addiction?
Addiction is not always easy to identify. A user is often the last person to recognize or admit that they have an addiction. However, the signs of addiction become more prevalent as time goes by. Some of the most common signs of addiction include:
- Obsession with the substance – it becomes more important in your life
- Your behavior changes in ways that are alarming to others
- You ignore responsibilities at work, home, or school
- You may become moody, depress, or anxious
- Your overall quality of life goes downhill – sleep, appetite, energy, self-care
If drugs or alcohol have consumed your life, and you need help, you may want to visit a drug or alcohol center in Hill Country Texas where you can get help for your condition.
Contact Right Step Hill Country for Addiction Treatment
If you need help with addiction to alcohol or drugs, then contact Right Step Hill Country today. We offer comprehensive treatment for addiction and mental health disorders. Call us at 1.844.675.1628 to get started with your treatment today. Regardless of the risk factors for addiction, you can get the help you need.