Addictions and addictions can occur due to these 7 causes

If someone is addicted or addicted, it means they have lost control of what they are doing, to the point that they are doing it excessively or even to the extent of harm.

What makes a person more prone to addiction?

The emergence of addiction can come from a variety of things, ranging from substances that cause addictive effects such as alcohol and cigarettes, to habits such as gambling, use gadget , played video games , sexual activity, to sports.

The process of arising addiction to a person is complex. However, there are certain characteristics that make a person more prone to addiction, including:

1. Genetic factors in the family

Genetic factors in a person determine how they behave and respond to something that has the potential to cause addiction effects. Thus, if someone is born to parents who have a history of alcoholism, their risk of experiencing alcohol addiction will also increase.

Even so, people who have genetic factors can still avoid addiction by minimizing exposure to substances or behaviors that can cause addiction.

2. Have experienced addiction at a young age

The brain at a young age, such as in adolescents and children, is still developing. However, it causes them to try new things and take risks, because their brains don't yet have the perfect part to pause and consider the risks involved.

It also causes dependence at a young age, such as addiction to cigarettes or alcohol, making them more likely to experience dependence again in adulthood. This is reinforced by data from the National Institute on Alcohol and Drug Abuse in America which shows that 40% of individuals who have tried alcohol consumption when under the age of 15 will become alcoholics in adulthood.

In addition, having one type of addiction can also trigger other addictions. For example, people who are addicted to cigarettes will find it easier to become addicted to alcohol in the future.

3. Having habits doesn't solve problems

Running away from problems without trying to solve them is one of the reasons a person engages in risky behaviors, such as smoking and consuming alcohol, which they find calming and forgetting their problems. What's more, it can lead to depression and anxiety which can exacerbate an addiction or trigger a new addiction.

4. Living in a troubled family environment

Parents who are addicted to drugs and alcohol are one of the causes of dysfunction in the family, because it will trigger violence and an unfavorable family atmosphere. This environment also increases the risk for their children to become addicted to drugs and alcohol, because of the psychological effects they experience such as anxiety and feelings of inferiority complex.

In addition, the impact of trauma in childhood can also affect the brain chemistry that plays a role in shaping a person's behavior, making it easier for them to have addictive behaviors.

5. Have a history of mental disorders

Individuals with mental disorders such as trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, and bipolar disorder tend to have poor ability to handle stress. As a result, they are less likely to think long and instead controlled by emotions, making them more at risk of trying substances and activities that can create addiction.

6. Have an impulsive nature

Being impulsive causes a person to tend not to think long about what he is doing. This is a trait that increases the risk for someone to experience addiction, because when they feel a desire, they will immediately do it without thinking. This can develop into addictive habits and behaviors.

7. Always wanting a certain sensation

Pleasure, which occurs as a brain chemical reaction due to an increase in the hormone dopamine, is something someone who is addicted to look for. A person who is easily addicted tends to feel the strongest sensation of increased dopamine when they try the thing that triggers it for the first time.

Addictive behavior is a mechanism that pushes a person to feel the sensation again, but at the same time, it triggers a tolerance effect so that a person needs a greater amount or intensity to feel the sensation.