Who’s More at Risk of Forming a Drug Addiction?

People like to say that anyone can experiment with drugs and it doesn’t guarantee an addiction. While that may be true for some, it isn’t always the case for everyone. It depends on many varying factors, which are hard to understand without reading about them first. 

Young kids and college students may feel the invincibility of youth when trying drugs for the first time. Older adults may think they know enough to avoid the dangers of drugs. Even the most educated, healthy and well-intentioned people may become addicts.

Here’s who’s more at risk of forming a drug addiction. It may help you understand your or a loved one’s chances. Take these factors into consideration when thinking about or discussing drug use.

•  Anyone Experimenting With Highly Addictive Drugs

Some of the most common drugs people experiment with are marijuana and prescription pain killers. They’re easy to get and don’t appear to be scary or intimidating, like the back-alley drug deals most people imagine. They may be found in a bathroom cabinet or a friend’s house. People reason that these aren’t going to hook them after one use, so why not use them to have fun?

This mindset is dangerous because it’s easy to believe when presented with other drugs, too. While you may not form an addiction after smoking marijuana once, one use of drugs like heroin, cocaine or barbiturates creates euphoric mental effects that hook people for life.

• People Dealing With Mental Disorders

Mental disorders present challenges in life that come along with a sense of isolation. Anyone with chronic mental health issues may use drugs to deal with their symptoms. Potent drugs can mute debilitating mental disorders like depression, anxiety and PTSD. Sometimes the self-medicated relief is faster and more enjoyable than what doctors prescribe.

• Family Members With Genetic Predispositions

DNA analysis has proven that genetics can predispose certain people to develop addictive tendencies. It depends on a person’s parents and their heritage. Anyone wondering about their genes can look into genetic testing or consider their history with addictive behaviors toward hobbies or lifestyle choices.

•  People Prone to Peer Pressure

Everyone wants to be loved, but some people will go farther to get that love than others. This often results in people giving in to peer pressure and becoming addicts. When friends present drugs as a way to have a good time, they don’t mention the adverse health effects that may result in life-long challenges later on.

•  Anyone With Difficult Home Situations

There are many reasons why people choose to self-medicate. Difficult home situations put people in positions of high anxiety, stress and depression. This makes a euphoric high look more attractive than the reality of their lives.

• Anyone Can Become an Addict

No matter which of these factors apply to you or your loved ones, anyone can become an addict. It all depends on the potency of the drug they try and the choices they make. Recognizing these components may help people decide to walk away from drugs and find more rewarding forms of happiness instead.

Samantha

Samantha hails from Virginia and is a proud wife to a retired Deputy Sheriff and mother to two amazing little boys named Jack & William. A veteran product reviewer; Samantha has been reviewing products for 8 years and offers high quality product reviews with original photography.