What Are The Causes Of Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction is one of the specific types of addiction. Therapists group the causes of drug addiction into four basic categories. These categories include psychological causes, biological causes, spiritual causes and socio-cultural causes. All the four categories are interrelated in most of the cases. In some manner, all the four categories contribute to the formation of drug addiction. For drug and alcohol rehabilitation, it is important to address the issues causing addiction. Let’s understand each category.

Biological Causes 

These causes include the unique psychology and genetics of a person. The degree to which people like or dislike a substance differs. Some people enjoy a substance so much that they find it difficult to resist. On the other hand, others may not get similar enjoyment from that particular substance. The ability to use rational thinking to temper impulsive desires is a brain function and this function varies among different people.

Some people are not capable enough to resist these impulses. Due to their genetic vulnerability, the risk for developing an addiction is greater in these people. Even when their brains are functioning normally, they are more vulnerable to addiction. It is the brain that motivates the repetition of behaviors that are pleasurable. This motivation makes people vulnerable to developing additions. A drug and alcohol rehab center tries to uncover the biological causes to offer the right treatment.  

Psychological Causes

Despite knowing that it’s harmful to repeat certain behaviors, still, people do that. Psychology helps in understanding the reasons behind this kind of behavior. It’s because people know that they are going to get some sort of benefit from the addiction. The benefit can be pleasurable sensations, stress reduction, relief from negative feelings or situations, or relief from boredom.

We all have different abilities to deal with unpleasant feelings or circumstances. The degree of stress and ability to deal with stress vary from person to person. More stress means lack of stress reduction skills. Lack of these skills is also one of the causes of drug addiction. This is the reason why therapists in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center rely on psychological research to understand these motivations. In many cases, anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders co-occur with addiction.

Socio-Cultural Causes 

There are some socio-cultural influences leading to drug addiction development. Culture is a pattern of learned and shared values and beliefs. It is because of these values and beliefs people from a particular socio-cultural setting are motivated for this behaviour. These cultures tolerate the use of alcohol, drugs and other harmful substances. People belonging to these cultures are more vulnerable to addiction. The family leaves the greatest social influence. As it is a part of the culture, it is often passed to the next generation.

Spiritual Causes

Spirituality can also be a cause of the development of addiction. Spirituality reflects the meaning and purpose of life. These beliefs are greater and bigger than the existence of an individual. People get values and goals from these beliefs. Lack of these values in life leads to disconnection from oneself and others. As this disconnection increases, the addiction progresses.

Whatever is the cause of drug or any other substance addiction, certified and experienced therapists in drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers can treat drug and other addictions. Join a treatment center offering personalized drug addiction treatment.