Factors That Make You More at Risk for Addiction
Addiction has existed for a long time, but it’s been a growing problem in the United States especially over the past several decades. It can be difficult to know who will become addicted to substances or other things and who will not. However, there are some risk factors that are known to increase the likelihood of someone becoming addicted.
Family History
One of the major indicators of addiction risk is if you have family members who struggle with it. If you know that your family has a history of addiction, it is generally a good idea to completely avoid addictive substances. This is also true if you do not know your family history, since you can’t know whether it will impact your likelihood of experiencing addiction. Make it a point to learn about your family history, if possible, so you can better understand your risk for addiction. The more you know about your personal family history, the easier it will be for you to make informed decisions about your health and risk.
Physiological Trauma
Experiencing trauma can affect your body and mind in many ways, some of which science doesn’t totally understand. One place of consensus is that trauma of many kinds can impact your mental health and your risk for addiction. In fact, some serious trauma such as abuse can lead to lifelong issues that require professional help. It’s important to address your trauma with a professional so you can feel better, improve your mental health, and reduce your risk of becoming addicted to substances.
Your Living Environment
If you are in an environment that is chaotic or includes more exposure to addictive substances, it can increase your risk of becoming addicted yourself. It’s important to take your environment into account when making decisions. You can also take steps to improve your environment and lower your risk factor. The environment you live in will have a profound impact on every aspect of your life, not just your risk of addiction, so it is important to make sure that you are aware of your environment and constantly working to make positive changes where you can.
Managing addiction risk can be challenging, but the more you know about yourself and your history, the more you can do to mitigate risk. In general, it is a good idea to avoid the potential for addiction all together, but there are some cases, like after surgery, where you may be necessarily exposed. When you know your risk, you can discuss with your doctor and get help to make the best decision.
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