Drug addiction can be described as a spiral that spins in the heads and bodies of those affected. It can be serious, it can be very debilitating and it can sometimes be quite surprising. But addiction can be stopped. It is possible to identify the risks and symptoms of addiction so that we can take preventive measures and keep our addiction away from ourselves and those we love.
Even though you may think your 12-year-old son won’t be affected by drug addiction, he is far too young to take up drugs and too smart for it to affect him. This is anyone can become addicted to drugs. It only takes a few steps to initiate a downward spiral.
The average age at which a teenager first experimented with drugs was 14 years. The brain is still growing at this time. Because substance use can be initiated so young, the brain is more likely to absorb its effects and remember them. The reason teenagers who try to use an addictive substance before they turn 18 may be six-and a half times more likely than those who tried it later in life.
This is a shocking reality for many parents. The reality of drug use among children is shocking, even when they have food and shelter, their families and teachers are there to support them. One study examined this issue and found that high school senior’s top reasons for using drugs were to: “Relax or relieve tension”, “to feel good” or get high”, “to experiment/see the effects”, “to relieve physical pain”, and “to have a great time with friends”. Although initial drug abuse is voluntary, drug addiction can quickly overwhelm a person’s self-control.
Every person has certain risk factors which can cause addiction. But some people are more at risk than others. Risk factors are most often environmental. Risk factors include early exposure to drugs and experimentation. This makes it more difficult to develop an addiction. Other risk factors are an individual’s ability to access drugs, his or her economic status, and community, as well as poor academic performance and inadequate adult supervision. A negative home environment is often a major factor in the development of drug abuse. A child is more likely to repeat the negative experiences he or she has in his/her home. This can be despite it being normal. Family members and parents who abuse drugs or engage in criminal behavior increase the likelihood that their child will develop drug dependence.
Like other diseases, the effects of addiction on individuals will differ. One factor cannot determine who will become dependent on drugs or how quickly the cycle will start. The effects of early drug exposure can be a clue to the extent of addiction in certain individuals. It also shows us how we can further prevent it. The vulnerability factors that a person has, such as their unstable environment growing up and their genetic susceptibility, must first be identified. They must then be balanced. When one considers their risk factors against their protective factors, it can help reduce the chances of developing an addiction. Addiction treatment centers near me believe that one can overcome addiction by practicing self-control, building positive relationships, setting goals, and establishing a support network. Call us today for information about how to prevent a drug dependency. Learn where it all begins and where it could go. And how to end it before it even begins.
