The problem of drug use and addiction is not new in the US. It has been recognized as an issue since the 20th century (Branch 2011). Why people use drugs is a complex question that is still being explored today. Current research has established various emotional, physical, and psychological factors that contribute to the chances of using drugs and developing a drug addiction. There are various reasons that fall within these factors that may serve as risk factors for drug addiction.
Emotional factors such as grief; trauma; chronic stress; pressure from peers, family, or at work; and cumulative adversity may put someone at risk of drug addiction. Individuals under such stress, for instance, stress from surviving their first semester in college, may use drugs as a coping strategy for dealing with stress, reducing tension, or self-medicate (Sinha, 2009). Furthermore, chronic stress, especially among youths, is associated with decreased emotional and behavioral control, which is a major contributor to vulnerability to drug use and addiction as well as other maladaptive behavior (Sinha, 2009). Thus, emotional factors that put excessive stress on one individual may push them toward drug usage.
There are also psychological factors that contribute to an individual’s vulnerability to drug addiction. Certain mental health disorders, for instance, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may increase the likelihood of an individual likelihood of using drugs and developing an addiction (Frontiers, 2016). In such cases, individuals experiencing the symptoms of a mental disorder may turn to drugs to self-medicate. However, it is also possible for an individual who uses drugs to develop mental health disorders (Frontiers, 2016). Studies have found strong links between mental disorders and drug addiction; however, the reason for this link remains unclear. An emerging reason for the link is the genetic overlap of mental health disorders and drug use. The study by Bogdan found that the genetic risk for schizophrenia and depression is associated with the use of cannabis and cocaine (Frontiers, 2016). This study confirms the previous claims that certain individuals have a genetic predisposition for drug addiction.
Family plays a major role in an individual’s genes and environment, both of which have a substantial influence on drug addiction. A family history of addiction is another strong cause of drug use and addiction. This is explained by a genetic predisposition in some families, similar to a family’s or individual’s predisposition for certain diseases. In addition to the aforementioned study by Bogdan, the study by Bevilacqua and Goldman (2009) shows that genes and environment play an important role in increasing an individual’s risk for drug addiction. Certain attitudes and behaviors, which are hereditary, play a substantial role here:
Stress resiliency and externalizing behaviors, characterized by disinhibition, aggression, and impulsivity, are both intermediate phenotypes thought to underlie the comorbidity between addictions and other psychiatric diseases, leading to the potential to track shared genetic factors (Bevilacqua and Goldman 2009).
Thus, individuals with a blood relative with drug addiction are at greater risk for developing the same due to certain characteristics that make them vulnerable to drug addiction. However, an equally important factor is the environment, specifically, the availability of drugs (or other addictive agents) (Bevilacqua and Goldman 2009). These factors interplay with emotional and psychological factors, increasing an individual’s risk for drug addiction. Individuals with a higher risk for drug addiction tend to develop addiction faster than others.
Each person has their own reasons for using drugs. More often than not, these factors come together to contribute to increasing the individual’s risk. Ultimately, there is no one reason causing drug addiction, rather there are multiple, interconnected reasons that may lead one individual toward drugs.
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