Why We Become Addicted: Understanding The Root Causes of Addiction

When we hear the word “addiction”, what comes to mind? Some might think about substance abuse, alcoholism, meth or crack addiction. These are all common examples of addiction which has been covered often in the media. In fact, there are more than 900 known addictive substances out there that humans can become dependent on. There has been a rise in the number of people suffering from any kind of addiction in recent years. We know that addiction is a serious problem and it needs to be treated as such. But what exactly is it? Why do some people get hooked on certain things while others don’t? Why do so many people struggle with different kinds of addictions? Seemingly unfair at times. The struggle of addiction we can only learn how and why- finding the root cause. If you’re asking these questions, then this article is for you.

What Is Addiction?

Simply put, addiction is a compulsive dependence on a particular substance or behaviour. It’s a chronic disease that can take over your life and cause negative consequences in every aspect of your life. Those consequences can vary from small minor events to criminal charges, or life-threatening situations that even cause death. Some addictions are habitual, meaning it’s a behaviour that you do that becomes a part of your daily routine. Some other addictions are impulsive, meaning it’s a sudden urge or impulse that comes and goes, but it’s a compulsion that is difficult to control. When you’re addicted to something, it has a strong hold on your life. It’s almost like you’re in a constant battle that you can’t win unless you seek help. The battle to get through the day, weeks, months, and even years to come; can be challenging. Addiction is often accompanied by withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, similar to other diseases like diabetes or hypertension. Cravings that are intensified due to lack of and resistence to the addiction.

Why Do People Become Addicted?

As mentioned above, humans have a variety of addictions. This raises the question: why do we become addicted to certain things? Different addictions stem from different root causes. Addiction is a response to a problem in your life, but it doesn’t solve anything. Instead, it makes matters worse. It’s a way to escape your issues and avoid dealing with them. When you’re addicted to something, you become dependent on it to make yourself feel better. There are certain chemicals in the things you’re addicted to that trigger a dopamine response in the brain. That warm, happy feeling is what commonly keeps people hooked. It’s almost like a mind trick that convinces you that you need that substance or behaviour in order to feel good. Resulting in either habitual or impulsive addiction by response or behaviour.

The Root Cause of Addiction

As mentioned above, different addictions have different root causes. However, there is one thing that all addictions have in common: they are a result of an unmet need. As humans, we all need certain things in order to survive and thrive. Some needs are physiological, meaning they relate to our health and well-being, while others are psychological, meaning they are related to our mental health and well-being. Some people are able to meet these needs on their own, while others struggle to do so. To put it simply, people become addicted to certain things because they don’t have other healthy coping mechanisms available to them. Or in many situations people are unsure how to deal with struggles that occurred. When a person’s unmet needs are not properly addressed, they are more likely to become addicted. This is because they will have to rely on addictive substances or behaviours to satisfy them instead.

How Genetics Plays A Role In Addiction

We are all unique individuals, shaped by both our environment and our genetics. This means that the way you react and respond to certain things is different from the way another person would. When it comes to addiction, genetics plays a major role. Some people are genetically predisposed to addiction, meaning, they are more likely to become addicted than others. That doesn’t mean that anyone who is genetically at-risk will necessarily become an addict. The best way to prevent yourself from developing an addiction is by using healthy coping mechanisms and addressing your unmet needs. Coping mechanisms are solutions to fixing the root cause. Dealing with the problem by understanding the environment and genetics combined can eliminate unmet needs of addiction.

Environment and Culture As Root Cause Of Addiction

As mentioned above, genetics play a role in addiction, but so does the environment we grow up and live in. The environment we are raised in, as well as the culture we are surrounded by, all have an impact on our mental health, including whether or not we develop an addiction. Parents and other caregivers have a large role to play in this. They can do their best to learn how to identify addiction in children and take steps to help them avoid it. When children are exposed to certain things, such as drugs or alcohol, they are more likely to develop an addiction when they grow into adults.

This article was written to help you understand the root causes of addiction. While the details of why some people become addicted to certain things may differ, there are a few consistent themes. When people don’t meet their needs and are unable to properly address their issues, they are more likely to become addicted. That’s why it’s so important to address your needs and find healthy ways to cope with life. It’s also vital that you avoid the temptation of becoming addicted to anything.

In closing, articles to come, I share my addiction. With life changing events and how the challenges of addiction took control over my life. My experience with addiction and more about addiction in future post. As with and mental challenge its so easy to form bad habits. And so hard to face the challenges of reality to recovery. Many prayers to one day at a time, if you relaspe, dont beat yourself up. It happens to us all, just take a deep breathe and stand up admit you relapsed. Today is a new day. Don’t give up, replace that habit with a healthy habit.

Until our beautiful minds meet again, be safe out there. Blessings and much love. Remember Everyday Minds Matter 🦋