Addiction targeted?

Events in your childhood could determine whether you are likely to become a problem addict or not, it has been revealed.

Destined for Addiction

New research claims that although we are all vulnerable to the powers of addiction, other factors including money, class, character traits and mental illness are all highly influential in those who succumb.

Of course, these traits do not discriminate, and can be found in those of any age, sex or celebrity. However, the research states that some people may be more predisposed to addiction than others, with drugs and alcohol as the primary substances of abuse.

Fate for an addict

Past experience plays an important role in the life of an addict. Sexual and physical abuse, neglect, depression, prejudice and poverty can all influence a person's state of mind and make them more likely to turn to drink or drugs. Patterns of usage show evidence of this, for example teenagers with drug problems are unlike those who never develop them. In addition, adults who suffer from addiction for many years demonstrate different traits from those who get clean.

Attitudes, values and behaviour play a powerful role as well. For example, some people are more susceptible to addiction than others, and where one person can try drugs for the first time and then walk away, someone else will be unable to. Tolerance of risk is another discriminatory factor, with some people more broad-minded than others.

Awareness for the addiction illness

Not every drug user who asks for more develops into an addict.

Jacob Sullum, editor of 'Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use' (2003), wrote that those who become aware that they are becoming an addict are often able to stop, once they realise that they are losing the grip on their own destinies.

Traits for an addict

Others are much less in control, however. Drug users often make deliberate decisions to feed their addiction, often several times a day. For example, allowing themselves to become bored, to deal drugs to friends or to spend time with other users. Commonly, people who fall victim to this slide are those with impulsive personalities, or those who don't have a handle on what will lose by giving in to the addiction.

However, an addict is not necessarily an addict for life. Though the National Institute on drug abuse describes addiction as a "chronic and relapsing disease," this does not always stand. In general, most addicts eventually allow themselves to be rescued. A survey carried out at Harvard Medical School found that those who kept using were almost twice as likely to have a concurrent psychiatric illness.

Overcoming shyness, seeking moments of clarity and offering comfort in times of solitude are also named as reasons why many people may turn to drink or drugs.

rehab clinics for treatment for drug rehab and alcohol rehab are available for anyone who wishes to treat their illness if it develops as an addiction problem. drug help is out there.

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