08 Oct

Causes of Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Even with the latest advances in science and technology, the causes of drug and alcohol addiction are still two of the least-understood conditions. While progress has been made to classify substance abuse problems and a medical disorder and disease, many people still do not fully understand or comprehend why an addict cannot simply stop. 

They often think that if an addict wanted to stop, they could, but because the addict enjoys drinking and abusing drugs, they do not want to quit. Other people think that if the addict had more willpower or could start cutting back, they could kick their addiction. 

Unfortunately, this type of thinking does nothing to help the addict in your life and can make them feel alone, isolated, and afraid to ask for help. Additionally, when isolated and addicted, it can lead to mental health problems, such as depression.  

Why can’t an addict just stop? 

So, if you have a loved one struggling with addiction, you need to realize that even when they want help, they really just cannot stop. For starters, this can be extremely dangerous if they have been abusing drugs and alcohol for an extended period.

If they were to attempt “cold turkey,” they could experience severe withdrawal symptoms that could lead to death. As such, this is why detox should always be medically supervised by a medical professional. Medically supervised detox helps the addict deal with their withdrawal symptoms until the drugs and alcohol are fully detoxed from the body. 

What caused their addiction? 

Some of the more common causes of drug and alcohol addiction include:

• Genetics – If there is a family history of substance abuse problems and addiction, there is a greater risk for addiction. This is why some people take a drug or drink just once, and they are instantly hooked.
• Environment – Children that grow up in homes where alcohol and drugs are used are more likely to develop substance abuse problems and addiction. From a child’s perspective, as they are developing mentally, they associate drinking and drug use as acceptable, normal behaviors.
• Mental Health Disorders – People that suffer from mental health disorders have an increased risk of developing substance abuse problems. It is not uncommon for someone not to want to seek help for a mental health problem. Instead, they turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate, which can eventually cause them to spiral out of control and become addicted. 
• Spectrum Disorders – People who suffer from various spectrum disorders also face increased risks of substance abuse disorders. They may self-medicate or attempt to enhance the effects of their medication by drinking or experimenting with drugs to mitigate their symptoms. 
• Peer Pressure – There is a link between giving into peer pressure and the age of first use, increasing the risks of addiction. Those that give in at a  younger age, such as tweens and teens, have a higher probability of developing an addiction by their young adult years.
• Brain Development – In tween, teens, and young adults, the brain has not yet fully developed. When those in this age group experiment with drugs, it rewires the brain and alters the brain chemistry. As a result, when brain development is altered by drinking and drug use, the individual is more likely to develop an addiction. 
• Stress and Anxiety – It is not uncommon for people to have a drink or two or take an anti-anxiety medication after a stressful day to relieve stress and anxiety. However, the brain is being reprogrammed to believe it needs alcohol or drugs to alleviate stress and anxiety. Eventually, this can lead to addiction. 
• Trauma – Experiencing trauma, whether a single event, like seeing someone die or an ongoing event, like sexual or physical abuse, can increase the risks of addiction. Drinking and using drugs makes it possible for the person not to have to face their traumatic experience or relive it over and over. 
• Binging – Binge drinking or binge drug use can lead to addiction as the body will begin to crave alcohol or drugs more often, not just when binging at a party or over the weekend. 

 Please remember, these are just some of the more common causes of drug and alcohol addiction. Many potential causes can lead to dependence on drugs and alcohol and eventual addiction. In addition, each person can have their own underlying causes that set them on the path to addiction, including one or more of these reasons.

At Home Detox, Drug, and Alcohol Addiction Treatment 

If you are struggling with alcohol and drug addiction and feel isolated, alone, and like no one will help, you are wrong. At MD Home Detox, we are here to help you take the first steps on the path to recovery and sobriety. 

We offer individualized concierge-level at-home medically supervised detox in California, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania, Colorado, or Connecticut. So, you can go through detox in the comfort of your home. We can also help you develop a recovery treatment plan that is custom-tailored to your specific needs. 

To learn more about detoxing at home or to schedule an initial consultation, please feel free to contact us at 1 (888) 592-8541 today!