What causes addiction? People all over the world want to know the answer to this question. With millions affected by drug and alcohol addiction, it is critical to learn about the causes of addiction and when to seek Tennessee rehab programs.
While many factors contribute to the disease, experts believe that there’s a strong link between addiction and family. In fact, family affects the development of addiction in two major ways. There is a genetic component as well as an environmental, or learned, aspect.
Addiction and Family Genes
The first connection between addiction and family is genetics. According to many studies, certain genes make people more likely to develop an addiction than those who don’t have the genes. As a result, it’s possible for mental health disorders such as addiction to run in families.
How do people know if they have a greater risk of developing an addiction? They have to pay attention to their family histories and the cases of addiction within it. For example, people whose parents struggle with addiction are likely to struggle with it, too.
Unlike other health problems, though, they have more of a choice about whether or not they develop an addiction. Diabetes, for instance, is a chronic, ongoing illness that many people can’t avoid because of their genes. However, those with a higher risk of addiction can avoid the disease if they simply don’t use drugs or alcohol.
If a parent struggles with substance abuse, it is advisable to avoid drugs and alcohol or find an early intervention program. This can keep addiction disorders from becoming too severe and majorly impacting relationships and causing additional health issues.
Family Environmental Factors
The next connection between addiction and family is an environment. The environment in which people grow up also affects their likelihood of developing an addiction. Let’s say, for example, that kids grow up in an environment where their parents or siblings use drugs often. Even if addiction doesn’t run in their families, these kids are more likely to grow up and use drugs themselves.
Seeing others, especially caregivers, use drugs normalizes the experience. It can make it challenging to see the downside when it is associated with so many memories and events of childhood.
While the family has a huge influence on addiction, other environmental factors have an effect as well. The friends who people interact with and the activities that they engage in put them at greater risk. While individuals can’t choose their families, they can choose who they interact with on a regular basis.
For example, let’s say that people have friends who use drugs regularly. Numerous studies demonstrate that they’re likely to use drugs also. Likewise, people who often attend parties where people use drugs are likely to try these substances at some point. Many activities and environmental factors play a role in the likelihood of people using drugs.
The choices of loved ones greatly impact our own but they don’t have to. When drug abuse has started and is associated with good times with friends or family, addiction therapy services can help separate the influence of drugs from joys in life.
Let Us Help You Overcome Addiction
Are you at a greater risk of developing an addiction because of family genetics, related environmental factors, or both? If so, it’s hard to overcome drug abuse without professional help. At Memphis Recovery, we pride ourselves on providing addiction programs that can help you make a full recovery.
Some of the services and programs that we offer include:
- Family therapy
- Residential drug rehab
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Aftercare program
Learn more about how addiction and family genetics link together. Find out how the right rehab center can help you overcome these risks. Contact us today at 901-272-7751 for more information.
