Biologically (medical definition) Addiction is a “chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequence, and long-lasting changes and damage to major organs of the body, including the brain.”
There are many psychological addictions such as food, gambling, exercising or gaming. The term addiction does not only refer to a dependence on substances such as alcohol, heroin, or cocaine. A psychological addiction is defined as “an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior even though it may cause psychological or physical harm.”
What Causes A Person To Become Addicted
Addiction is a complex condition that affects a person’s behavior and brain. And while the phrase “addiction” often conjures images of drug abuse and alcoholism, it’s important to remember that addiction can take many forms. From gambling to sex to social media use, addiction can cause harm in several ways.
But what causes someone to become an addict? What makes one person more likely than another to develop an addiction problem? The answer is complicated, and there are no simple explanations for why some people become addicts while others do not. Addiction is multi-faceted with many diverse causes. Research indicates that the following three play a significant role in the onset of addictions.
1. Genetics: Genes can play a significant role in the onset of addiction. People with a first-degree relative (parent, children, sibling), with an addiction problem may have an increased risk and a predisposition to developing an addiction. While there’s still a lot more to learn about the connection between genes and substance use disorder, it’s one of the most common root causes of addiction.
2. Environmental Factors: Environmental factors are also a contributing factor, such as being raised in poverty or experiencing an abusive childhood. Other environmental factors that may affect the onset of substance use include peer pressure, unstable home environment, parents that use drugs, presence of drugs at home, and community influence.
3. Trauma: Childhood experiences may significantly impact a person’s physical and mental health. Traumatic childhood experiences may lead to emotional difficulties such as substance abuse. Examples of traumatic experiences include:
• Physical and/or sexual abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Emotional neglect
• Witnessing violence
• Parental separation or divorce
• Stress-related to military-family life
• Traumatic brain injuries can also cause change within the brain that results in an increased risk of addiction and other symptoms like headaches, memory loss, and sleep problems.