If you’ve read any of my previous articles, you already know that I have struggled with my fair share of bad habits. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, unhealthy relationships… I’ve been there.
Luckily, I’ve overcome many of these issues, and I’m working on several others. But I’ve always wondered: Why do I develop addictions easily?
I went in search of answers because only by knowing why this is happening, I can make the necessary changes to avoid the triggers.
Why Do People Develop Addictions?
So what about you? Have you ever wondered about this question? It’s a tough puzzle to crack, and it can be a challenge for those who experience it.
Addiction isn’t just one thing; it’s like a tricky maze of paths that affect people in different ways. And, even if you know the factors driving addiction, there’s no guarantee that you or your loved one can stay away from all the hidden influences.
While addiction itself is a challenging enemy, it doesn’t emerge out of thin air; instead, it may come from past experiences, run in your family, or be driven by stress… the list goes on and on. By understanding just a few of these influences — at least just the ones that apply to you the most — you will hopefully get deeper insight into the why behind addictive behaviors.
Factors Driving Addiction
As you can see, it’s difficult to pinpoint a specific reason why some people develop addictions and others don’t. The only way to answer this question is to look at the underlying issues that may influence addictive behaviors. Let’s get into some of these influences.
Genetics: The Family Connection
Addiction can be rooted in your genetics. Your family history may influence your susceptibility to certain addictive behaviors.
For example, if your parents or grandparents struggled with alcoholism or substance abuse, you might be genetically predisposed to addiction. That’s probably one of the causes of my alcohol abuse — my mother also consumed alcohol excessively until a car accident forced her to change her life.
But how does this work? Your genes may affect how your body responds to drugs or alcohol, such as giving you a boost of “happy hormones” which is a feeling your brain likes.
Think of it as inheriting a set of cards. If your genetic deck has a few addiction-related cards in it, you might be playing with a higher risk.
But remember, genetics is just one card in the hand. Your choices still play a significant role in whether you actually give in to the addictions or opt to avoid them. Even if addiction runs in your family, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll become addicted; it merely means you should be extra cautious.
Several times over the years, I’ve realized that I have a problem with alcohol abuse. My drinking resulted in a horrible fight with my girlfriend, in front of friends, and everyone was shocked by my behavior. Of course, I didn’t remember anything about it the next morning, but the stories they told me were a reality check, and I decided to reign in my alcohol consumption.
Environment: Where You Live and Who You’re With
Your surroundings can be a powerful force shaping your likelihood of addiction. The environment includes everything around you — your home, school, neighborhood, and the people you interact with. It can either protect you from addiction or expose you to risk factors.
Imagine growing up in a neighborhood where drugs are easily accessible, and drug use is commonplace. In this environment, the temptation to experiment can be strong. In contrast, someone raised in a supportive family, involved in positive extracurricular activities, and surrounded by friends who discourage drug use is less likely to engage in risky behavior.
The example above is very generic. A person growing up in a troubling neighborhood can still choose to do better and outgrow their circumstances. Similarly, a person who grew up in the best environment may choose to associate with the wrong people or engage in addictive behaviors.
Ultimately, just like with family history, it comes down to the choices you make. Your environment doesn’t have to define who you are or who you become.
Personal Experiences: Coping Mechanisms and Trauma
Your life experiences can also be a driving force behind addiction.
Sometimes, people turn to substances or behaviors like gambling as a way to cope with stress, pain, or trauma. It might start innocently, with a drink or two to relieve stress or escape reality, but over time, it can spiral into a full-blown addiction.
A good friend of mine went through a traumatic break-up a few years ago. To numb the emotional pain, she started partying and drinking alcohol. It was unusual for her as she is someone who takes great care to stay healthy and exercise regularly, so this addictive behavior wasn’t the norm for her. Initially, alcohol helped her forget and numbed the pain, but soon she found herself dependent on it — she couldn’t go a day without alcohol. Trauma became a significant factor in her addiction.
It’s important to recognize that personal experiences can be both positive and negative drivers of addiction. The key is understanding how to cope with life’s challenges in healthy ways.
The Media: The Power of Persuasion
Advertising and the media play a much bigger role in our decisions than we like to admit, and they can have a big impact on the choices we make related to addictive behaviors.
Think about how often you see advertisements for alcohol, cigarettes, or fast food. You could probably put online games and social media in this category too, since many people are staring at screens all the time. All of these industries invest heavily in creating persuasive messages that can make their products seem desirable and normal, even when they know that their products can have negative consequences for consumers.
For example, consider the portrayal of alcohol in movies and TV shows. It’s often associated with fun, socializing, and relaxation — especially among teenagers and young adults who are some of the most vulnerable and impressionable groups. These glamorous depictions can make alcohol consumption appear not only acceptable but essential for a good time. Similarly, fast-food advertisements often emphasize indulgence, tempting us with mouthwatering images that can lead to unhealthy eating habits.
Peer Pressure: The Influence of Friends
Peer pressure is another influential factor that can lead to bad choices, and sometimes, those decisions may result in addiction.
Friends can exert significant influence over your choices, especially during adolescence when fitting in and gaining approval are paramount. If your friends engage in risky behaviors, you may feel compelled to join in, even if it goes against your better judgment.
Imagine a scenario where your friends encourage you to try a drug at a party. You may feel pressured to comply to avoid feeling left out or ridiculed. This desire to belong can overpower your inner reservations.
As a teenager, I smoked when I was with my friends. We weren’t doing it for any specific reason, and I’m pretty sure that just like myself, the others were only smoking because the rest of our social circle did it. Obviously, alcohol was added into the mix later on, and that created additional problems.
Many times, we know that engaging in certain behaviors is wrong, but the fear of losing our friends and being seen as weak compels us to give in to peer pressure. It’s a stark reminder of how influential our social circles can be in pushing us toward addiction.
Societal Norms: What’s Considered “Normal”
Societal norms, which are things society considers normal acceptable behavior, can either discourage or inadvertently encourage addictive behaviors.
For example, in some cultures like France, regular use of alcohol is normalized during social gatherings, or the legal age for drinking alcohol is younger in some countries than in others. This normalization can make it seem like excessive alcohol consumption or using medication is not only accepted but expected.
I’m pretty sure that societal norms played a part in my stepfather’s addiction to smoking. He grew up in a society where smoking from a young age was seen as a rite of passage into adulthood. But in his case, it was taken a step too far because he started smoking when he was about five years old. Five! Just imagine that for a moment. The societal norm of smoking made it difficult for him to resist the urge to start and actually encouraged him to do it. These norms can act as silent enablers of addiction.
Overcoming Addictive Behaviors
Okay, we’ve now discussed several factors that can result in developing addictions. Of course, these are just a few of them; there are many other factors that can contribute to addiction. We also know that different factors can work together, and that shows it’s a pretty complicated puzzle.
Addiction isn’t the same for everyone; it affects every person differently. But knowing about these influences can help you understand how they might push you into addiction without you even realizing it.
Now, here’s an important thing to think about: What could be influencing your own choices?
Maybe there are things in your family, your past, or even what everyone around you thinks is normal that can affect you.
Knowing about these influences can really help you make better decisions and find healthier ways to cope. And don’t forget, you don’t have to face this alone. There are people, like counselors and therapists, who can help you if you need it.
So, by uncovering the factors that drive addiction and getting help when you need it, you can break free from addiction.