What Leads People To Drug and Alcohol Abuse Addiction?

by | Mar 28, 2022

Addiction can be a challenging and isolating struggle, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. If you are seeking addiction treatment in Louisville, Kentucky, there is hope.

Drug addiction and alcoholism are two of the most difficult addiction problems to battle. Many people write off addiction and wonder why an addict just can’t quit. Some people attribute addiction, of any kind, to a poor or weak mental state, but it’s not that simple in reality. Most people addicted to drugs and alcoholism desire to quit, as they’re aware of the damage it does to their health, but that’s the problem with addiction – it makes it difficult to quit on your own. Considering all the health implications, you might be wondering what leads people to drug addiction and alcoholism in the first place. 

What Causes Drug Addiction?

Like many other psychological and mental health issues, multiple factors contribute to drug addiction. But you can group most of these factors into two main causes – environment and genetics.

  • Environment: Environmental factors like peer pressure, an environment that encourages or supports drug use, easy access to drugs, access to healthcare, personal beliefs, and attitudes can lead to and escalate drug addiction or abuse. But that’s not all; other factors like stress and depression can push people to seek some sort of refuge in drugs.
  • Genetics: The way a person’s body and brain react to a particular type of drug can also be attributed, to some extent, to inherited traits – those encoded by a person’s genes. These inherited traits can either slow down or speed up the way addiction develops.  Leading Factors That Drive People To Drug and Alcohol Abuse Addiction

What Causes Alcoholism?

Just like drug addiction, your religion, culture, family, relationships, and work can influence your behaviors, including drinking. Some people may resort to drinking as a coping mechanism to deal with various issues in their lives, whether emotional, financial, or even physical.

The family also plays a crucial role in the likelihood of a person resorting to alcoholism. For example, various studies have shown that children exposed to alcohol abuse in their homes at very early ages are at greater risk of picking up a dangerous drinking pattern. 

How Can You Get Out of Drug Addiction and Alcoholism?

Addiction of any kind is very difficult to break. While it is possible to free yourself from alcoholism and drug addiction on your own, it is important to seek professional assistance when you start noticing the following:

  • Your addiction is affecting your family life
  • You can’t go a day without indulging
  • You’re investing all your finances into feeding your addiction
  • Your work or academic productivity is falling
  • You’re becoming more isolated from social life
  • You’re neglecting your responsibilities to your children because of the addiction.

A professional treatment provider or rehab uses various treatment programs to help set addicts free. Some of the programs or services include the following:

  • Outpatient program: This option provides a less intensive level of care or treatment.
  • Intensive outpatient: This offers a more intensive, long-term, continuous, and sustainable treatment option.
  • Telemedicine: There are virtual telemedicine sessions that you can fit into your daily life.
  • Multiple pathways: You’ll find multiple options for addiction recovery through traditional and evidence-based programming. 

Download this article

Our Latest Posts

How Can I Get Checked-In Anonymously To An Addiction Treatment Center?

Seeking help for an addiction can be difficult, but admitting you have an addiction in the first place can be even tougher. Everyone who seeks help for their addiction has to go through the process of admitting they need help, which isn’t always easy to do. While...

What to Know Before Asking for Time Off Work for Addiction Treatment

You can get the addiction treatment you need and still keep your job. In fact, your employer may be very supportive of the process.  After all, if you’re a good employee, they’ll want to hold on to you. That said,...

Intensive Outpatient Drug Treatment In Louisville

When you need support to overcome drug and alcohol addiction but also want to keep living your normal life without lengthy stays in rehab, intensive outpatient drug treatment in Louisville is the answer. By providing the best of both worlds, our team of friendly and...

Outpatient Drug Treatment In Louisville

Although an inpatient residential treatment program will often be the best course of action when it comes to severe substance addiction, this is not going to be necessary for everyone. Those who have a mild substance abuse problem with alcohol or drugs may well...

The 24-Hour Rule: A Critical Element in the Blueprint for Long-Term Sobriety

Starting your recovery journey calls for courage and commitment. You may be nervous about what to expect and may worry that you won’t be able to remain sober in the long run. The trick is to remain focused on the present and not think too far ahead or anticipate all...

Insights into Xanax as a Controlled Substance and Why Rehab May Be Necessary

As we burrow deeper into the twenty-first century, awareness and conversation around mental health, and by extension, the medication designed to alleviate its symptoms, grows ever more critical. Indeed, anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent psychiatric...

Navigating the Timeline of a 12-Step Program in Substance Abuse Recovery

Embarking on the journey of substance abuse recovery through a 12-step program can be both challenging and transformative. From acknowledging the need for change to achieving long-term sobriety, each step in the process plays a crucial role in the individual's...

7 Strategies for a Successful Career Comeback Post-Addiction

Embarking on a career comeback after battling addiction can be a daunting yet rewarding journey. Whether you're reentering the workforce after completing a rehabilitation program or navigating the challenges of maintaining sobriety while pursuing professional goals,...

How Cocaine Addiction Affects the Cardiovascular System

The grip of cocaine addiction extends far and wide, impacting countless lives with its insidious reach. Among its many destructive effects, the toll it takes on cardiovascular health looms large and ominous. Cocaine's potent stimulant properties unleash a series of...

Calculating the Real Cost: How Alcohol Abuse Impacts Your Finances

Alcohol consumption is a deeply ingrained part of various cultures around the world, often linked with socializing, celebrations, and relaxation. However, for some, these associations can lead to an unhealthy dependency, not only affecting personal health but also...

Our Video’s

Call Now Button