Drug addiction currently affects millions of people worldwide, and while the general public has (in most cases) been warned of the many dangers that can come with drugs abuse, people are still getting addicted to drugs on a regular basis. This begs the question – Why do people get addicted to drugs? In fact, there are numerous different causes of drug addiction, many of which vary from person to person.
Why Do People Get Addicted to Drugs?
Nearly anything can cause an addiction, including just pure experimentation with drugs that have a high potential for creating physical and psychological dependency in a user. So, why do people get addicted to drugs? Some of the many causes of drug addiction can include:
• Trauma – Traumatic events, such as the loss of a loved one, involvement in a violent act or major accident and much more are often the biggest reasons why people get addicted to drugs. This is extremely common, as individuals who go through traumatic events such as these, feel they need quick physical and emotional release. The rapid onset of a panic response can make trick people into believing there should be an off-ramp that feels equally as immediate. As a result, people convince themselves that drugs are a viable option for obtaining that speed of relief. The truth that successfully overcoming some traumatic experiences is a longer term process, is harder to hear.
• Environment – People get addicted to drugs because of their environment as well. For example, growing up in a household with addicts can expose an individual to use, not only normalizing the addiction behaviors but sometimes providing direct access to substances before a young person has the opportunity to develop their presence of mind and personal power. In addition, if a home environment is uncomfortable, dangerous, or unstable, they are also more likely to get addicted to drugs.
• Genetics – Drug addiction can also be attributed to genetics, as many people who get addicted to drugs often follow in the footsteps of their relatives. This occurs as there are genes within the brain that predispose individuals to using and becoming addicted. These genes can be passed on and become one of the main reasons why people get addicted to drugs.
• Stress – Stresses, such as those created in work place or related to financial burdens should drive a person to pursue their health and improve their utility to overcome the stressful condition. Things aren’t always that simple though. Big stress events or accumulating pressures, can often times become so overwhelming to people that it causes them to turn to drugs to manage their mood. The fact that drug use is or will become the main cause of stress and friction in life isn’t always respected even when the individual know this to be true. Offloading blame or attribution to other facets of life, is a way of delaying change. Some people get addicted to drugs as a way of ignoring what needs to change in their life to address stress. The additional mounting stress caused by the drug use can accumulate to a point where they fear they will be unable to function without using drugs.
The answer to the question “why do people get addicted to drugs?” is simple to model but harder to diagnose when you realize you’re talking about a real person and their unique and beautiful life. There are generally a number of underlying issues and yes individual pinpointed traumatic events very often overlap with a more persistent neglect or generally negative living environment. Inherited genes that up the likelihood of addictive behavior seeking, can be triggered by stresses.
Treatment for Drug Addiction
When people get addicted to drugs, it is important that they know that they can get help for their problem, regardless of how and why they got started in their use. Treatment centers throughout the world can treat many of the underlying causes of addiction through therapy, medication, and continued aftercare support that can help people who are addicted to drugs end their use once and for all. By attending a treatment program, people who get addicted to drugs can stop asking the question why do people get addicted to drugs and start getting answers that will aid their full circle recovery.
