Causes of addiction

What causes addiction?

Substances can be addictive and when we talk about drugs like nicotine or heroine, these can very rapidly cause physical dependencies. Alcohol, caffeine and even sugar can create physical need in a user, however not everyone that has a drink (or a doughnut!) will become addicted. So apart from the physiological dependency some substances create, there are many other factors to addiction.

We have all heard about “addictive personalities”, but is this just an excuse? or is there any truth in this expression? Can somebody really be predisposed to become an addict?

The stressed, anxious, passive-aggressive, self-harming, immature and anti-social; these personalities have been identified as those more likely to become an addict. People who find it hard to cope with stress and have difficulty communicating these feelings, are often more likely to turn to a crutch, a ‘fix’ that helps them escape these feelings and gain temporary relief. It is often not very clear how an addiction starts or where it develops from.

The causes explored over the years are numerous, genetic disposition has often been sought as an answer but evidence is somewhat inconclusive. The list of social factors include early age experimentation and peer pressure, the environment we grow up in and the exposure we have to those substances and activities, as well as our self-esteem. Economical factors include education, opportunities, access to healthy activities and poverty.

Many start by experimenting, a drink, a cigarette, a one night stand, a trip to the races. Some (like Francesca- see page 48 ‘Beating the ravages of tranquillizer addiction’) can get addicted to a substance that was legitimately prescribed, and when it’s time to give it up the user can feel unable to cope without it anymore.