Factors that Make People Vulnerable to Drug Addiction

Various factors can make people vulnerable to drug addiction, and others explain how easily one develops into that behavior. Every person is different, and a factor that influences another person into that habit doesn’t necessarily affect someone else.

For instance, the biological body make-up, sensitivity towards specific drugs, drugs’ ingredients, peer pressure, continuous indulgence, among others, are all reasons that influence addiction.

Moreover, some individuals can use drugs multiple times without experiencing any impacts. Others might use similar drugs and encounter severe body reactions or overdose consequences after initial use. Additionally, a person can develop addiction symptoms after initial drug consumption, while another person might not show any signs at all with the same drug.

Below are a few factors that make a person vulnerable to drug addiction.

Some Drugs Are More Addictive Than Others

Just like different people respond to drugs differently, there is also a significant difference in the effect of various drugs. For instance, using powdered cocaine may not lead to addiction, but sampling crack cocaine can likely make you become addicted the first time you try it.

Tolerance into Drug Addiction

Drug tolerance happens when a drug’s reaction in the body reduces as a person continues using it. Sometimes an addiction occurs gradually and even without warning. As you become a regular drug user, your body builds tolerance slowly. It means that you no longer experience the “high” feeling you had before when you consumed minimal doses.

As tolerance builds up progressively, you begin to add more doses until you experience the desired effects. Essentially, you are trying to achieve similar “high” feelings as before when your body was not under the influence of the drug.

Notably, tolerance buildup increases more cravings for the consumed drug. Eventually, your body fails to operate in optimal ways since it has developed into drug dependency.

Drug Addiction Occurs due to Altering the Brain’s Reward System

Drug addiction specialists consider it a brain disease since drugs alter the chemical compositions of the brain, its structure, and its operations. Such alterations can be lifelong, while others result in destructive behaviors.

Some research on brain imaging involving people with addiction indicates physical modifications in the brain’s sections that control memory, judgment, learning, decision-making, and behavior control.

Further research shows that continuous drug consumption actually begins to modify chemical in the brain by changing its reward system. Later, if a person continues indulging a drug or a substance even without it providing any pleasure, it causes drug addiction.

Usually, the process can take some time before interfering with the brain’s reward system resulting in addiction. However, some powerful drugs can accelerate the process of addiction.

Final Words from the Recover

Drug addiction has life-threatening impacts, and abusers should take precautions when they are using drugs. Besides, if you are struggling to quit drug addiction, you can seek support from a list of drug rehabs near you. Many rehab centers have professional therapists and excellent programs to help you recover from addiction and resume a sober life. Ensure you research the best available options that address your needs.