Understanding Addictions
Helping a Loved One with an Addiction is Easier When It's Understood
Sep 30, 2009
Another word for addiction is dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when a person feels he or she needs the substance to function or feel comfortable. Some people feel they must have a drink, medication or drugs to cope with daily life. Physical dependence is when a person's body has adapted to the presence of a drug. Tolerance develops so the person needs to use more of the drug to get the same effect. When the substance use stops, withdrawal occurs.
Mental Health Issues
According to research gathered at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health in Ontario, more than half of people with substance use disorders also have mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. The relationship between mental health issues and substance use is convoluted. Some people with mental health problems use different substances to self-medicate, but end up making things worse.
Genetic Factors
Some people inherit a vulnerability to the addictive properties of drugs. Studies have shown that the risk of substance use disorders is higher for people who have a close relative with addictions. It's been argued that in some cases, using substances to self-medicate is a learned behavior to cope with stress. Even if a person has a genetic vulnerability to addiction, it does not necessarily mean he will become an addict.
Environmental Factors
The home, community, friends or work can influence whether or not a person develops substance use problems, as well as the attitudes of those around them. People who experience prejudice or discrimination due to culture, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, age or other factors may use substances to cope with feelings of social isolation.
Religious Affiliations
Spirituality means different things to different people. Many people have a need to feel connected to others and to the world around them. Without a sense of spiritual connection, some individuals may feel empty or hopeless. Using substances to mask these feelings can lead to development of an addiction.
Coping with Thoughts and Feelings
Life can throw stress into a person's life a little at a time or in droves. Coping with difficult emotions or situations is stressful and some people turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. This doesn't solve problems, and in many cases, it adds to them. People may also use substances to help relieve stress, boredom or sadness, or to reduce their inhibitions.
Drugs Interact with the Brain
Using alcohol or drugs (or a combination of both) stimulates the brain in ways that feel good. Some people want this immediate experience every time there is a hint of stress. All substances with addictive potential stimulate the release of a chemical in the brain called dopamine that's associated with reward and pleasure. Eating, drinking and having sex releases dopamine. Substance use however, creates a flood of dopamine, which alters the chemistry of the brain. The brain tries to keep things in balance and develops tolerance, which means that more and more of the substance is needed to bring feelings of pleasure. The brain also adapts by decreasing the amount of dopamine available which is why people who are addicted report feeling depressed without drugs.
Other Factors
There's always a reason why a person develops an addiction. More often than not other factors that are behind addictions include chaos in the family unit, poverty, having physical, emotional or sexual abuse in the past or present to deal with or conflict.
Regardless of the factors, addiction recovery is important for an addict who asks for help.
Families Can Help
Families play a strong role in substance abuse recovery. With support from family members who are non-judgmental, an person with addictions is more likely to stay in treatment and have a successful outcome.
Information Source:
Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, Ontario.
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