To understand what addiction is and why it happens is a bit complicated. Some people use substances to get a kick while others may use just to feel normal. For some, dosing on substances in a manner and quantity not prescribed is a way to calm the inner turmoil, a self-proclaimed effective manner to alleviate levels of psychological stress. Some people become more dependent on harmful substances than others. Though the potential addiction risk factors may vary across different individuals, some common ones including family background, genetic variants, personality traits, mental health conditions and environmental elements are usually found responsible for increased dependence.

Few people are more inclined to misuse illicit substances. They may include:

1. Young men: No single reason can be attributed to increasing use of substances by adolescents and young adults. Curiosity is the strongest driver guiding young men’s behavior towards illicit substances. The existing social scenario involving drinking and smoking habits, peer pressure or increasing stress may raise the risk for those belonging to the younger generation to try using addictive substances. Consuming substances like drugs and alcohol prior to complete development of the brain heightens the possibility of being hooked to them in a big and a more dangerous way. As per details provided by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), young people who adopt drinking habits before they turn 15 years of age are five times at a greater likelihood to abuse alcohol or get dependent compared to those who first used alcohol at the age of 21 years.

2. White Americans: Contrary to the common belief that black Americans are majorly involved in drug use as they are frequently arrested for drug-related crimes, whites are more likely to sell and use drugs. According to the findings of a study titled “Health Disparities in Drug- and Alcohol-Use Disorders: A 12-Year Longitudinal Study of Youths After Detention”, tendency to abuse and get addicted to hard drugs is less common among African American youth than non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics. Senior author of the study, Linda A. Teplin, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine said, “We found that African Americans are less likely than other racial/ethnic groups to abuse hard drugs. Yet African Americans are disproportionately incarcerated for drug crimes.”

3. Children from drug abusing families: Families and parents have a huge role in the way children behave. The young minds model and imitate behavior and actions of their elders. Same is the case of drug or alcohol dependence. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the potential risk of addiction increases for children belonging to families afflicted with substance abuse problems compared to those from the general population. Genetic risks along with family background and upbringing tremendously affect their drug using behavioral patterns.

4. Depressed people and bipolar disorder patients: Studies have proved that mentally ill people resort to drugs or other substances in a bid to get the necessary relief. The regularity of using these drugs increases as psychologically distressed patients continue to make efforts to alleviate symptoms of the disorder they are suffering from. Anxiety, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, insomnia and other mental health problems push the affected ones to look for alternatives and illicit sources to manage the symptoms without realizing that they further deteriorate their problems and pose threat to life.

5. Sensitive people: Sensitivity increases susceptibility. This is true in case of those who are more sensitive to the stimulating effects of illicit substances and are more prone to getting addicted. Harboring a negative mindset can also make one more inclined to abuse drugs, alcohol or smoke. This is because negative emotions like anger, tension or sadness result in impulsive behavior and unpredictable behavior, impair judgment and affect decision-making capabilities.

Road to recovery

For those wanting to recover from addiction-related problems, detoxification is the first step as it removes the toxins accumulated in the body from long-term abuse. It may be painful yet imperative to prepare the body for proper recovery. If you or a loved one is addicted to any substance and is looking for appropriate treatment, the Florida Detox Helpline can help you get in touch with one of the best detox facilities in Florida in your vicinity. You can call our 24/7 helpline number 855-920-9869 or chat online with our representatives to get more information on the finest detox center in Florida providing specialized treatment to ensure safe and comfortable detoxification.