According to Talbot Partnership for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention, one of the most common questions raised is: Why do some people get addicted while others do not?
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), no single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. Risk for addiction is influenced by a combination of factors that include individual biology, social environment, and age or stage of development. The more risk factors an individual has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:
Biology. The genes that people are born with—in combination with environmental influences—account for about half of their addiction vulnerability.
Environment. A person’s environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to socioeconomic status and quality of life in general. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, stress, and quality of parenting can greatly influence the occurrence of drug abuse and the escalation to addiction in a person’s life.
Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction vulnerability. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to more serious abuse.
So what are some things you can do to prevent your child from going down the wrong path?
· Tell your child about the family history of alcohol and/or drug abuse and addiction.
· Set boundaries and monitor behavior.
· Model positive and healthy behavior.
· Help your children learn to regulate their emotions.
· Encourage overall good health.
· Be there.
· Lock Your Meds.
· Eat dinner together at least four times a week, or as often as possible.
· Get to know the parents of your children’s friends.
For further information on the dangers of alcohol and other drugs, contact Talbot Partnership at 410-819-8067. Please also visit our website at www.talbotpartnership.org or find us on Facebook.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.