Risk Factors for Addiction

Although anyone can become an addict, certain factors increase the chances that any given individual will develop an addiction to behaviors (like eating disorders, compulsive sex, compulsive gaming, or compulsive gambling)  or substances (including illegal drugs, prescription medications, and legal substances). In this article, we discuss the risk factors to be aware of. 

• Genetics – Genetics have been demonstrated to be a factor in a number of studies on addiction.  In other words, if a blood relative has had problems with addiction, you may be more likely to develop an addiction yourself.  Keep in mind that there is no specific “addiction gene.”  Rather, a number of genetic factors are considered to play into different types of susceptibility to compulsive substance use or addictive behaviors.  Learn more about addiction and genetics by clicking here.
• Race – As an example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that, in 2010, 27.7% of Whites had engaged in binge drinking (5 or more alcoholic drinks in one day for men and 4 for women) over the past year compared to 19.8% of Hispanics and 12.6% of Blacks. Binge drinking does not necessarily equate to alcoholism, but it can be a behavioral precursor.
• Sex – According to the Mayo Clinic, males are nearly twice as likely as females to develop a problem with drugs.  The CDC showed that men had a “substantially” greater chance of binge drinking (see definition above) than did women.
• Age – As reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), past-month use of illegal drugs was highest among the 18 to 20 year old age group in both 2009 (22.2%) and 2010 (23.1%).  In general, people ages 16 to 34 were among those most likely to have used substances in the previous month.  Many teens and young adults in particular are more vulnerable to the influences of peer pressure, which may compel them to use these drugs against their normal inclinations.
• Lack of Parental Supervision or Involvement – Children and teens who don’t feel connected to their parents (e.g., who don’t believe that their parents care about them) and those living in homes with little to no parental supervision are considered to be more at risk for addiction.  In other words, a positive home environment can help reduce the chances that an adolescent will experiment with gateway drugs, which could lead to a substance addiction, or will look at internet pornography or play video games compulsively.
• Mental Illness – Individuals who have any number of psychiatric symptoms or illnesses – including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder – may use drugs or alcohol to self-treat feelings of emptiness or loneliness or to escape from fear associated with voices or other hallucinations.  When addiction and mental illness co-occur, this is called dual diagnosis.
• Being Prescribed an Addictive Prescription Medication – Although people who take drugs like Oxycontin or Vicodin for pain may develop both tolerance and dependence, not everyone who uses these drugs becomes an addict.  However, for someone who may be otherwise susceptible (e.g., doesn’t have healthy coping mechanisms for stress, has a family history, is depressed, etc.), beginning treatment on an addictive prescription drug could propel them into an addiction when, under other circumstances, they may not have otherwise begun one.  For this reason, it is extremely important to be honest with your doctor if you know that you have any risk factors for addiction.
• Urban Living: SAMHSA found that, in 2010, rate of drug use seemed to correlate with community size.  Large (9.4%) and small (8.8%) metropolitan areas had the highest rates, urbanized non-metropolitan areas (8.7%) and less urbanized non-metropolitan areas (7.1%) followed with rural neighborhoods (3.7%) being the least at risk.
• Use of Alcohol and/or Cigarettes: Data from SAMHSA in 2010 indicate that, among 12 to 17 year olds, 52.9% and 70.6% of those who had smoked cigarettes or engaged in binge drinking, respectively, also had used illegal drugs.  These numbers stood in sharp contrast to the rates of those who did not drink or smoke (5.1% and 6.2%, respectively).

Even if you find that you have all risk factors, you are not doomed to becoming an alcoholic or addict.  Awareness is important to prevention.  For example, if you suffer from depression or any other mental health condition, seek treatment from a therapist or psychiatrist.  If you sense that substance abuse is following a trajectory toward something potentially more serious, ask a close friend to keep you accountable and talk to a psychiatrist.   If you are worried about your child’s activities, remember the importance of being involved in their lives and know your options for intervening if necessary.