Have you ever wondered why some people develop an addiction and others can drink or use drugs without a problem? With advances in addiction research, we are now aware of a variety of risk factors for addiction. Some of the risk factors for addiction include a person’s age in which they start abusing substances and mental illness. Something that may surprise you is the strong connection between addiction and family.
Addiction and Family Environment
As we continue to learn more about addiction as well as mental illness as a whole, we’re learning a lot more about how the environment can be an influence. One of the primary risk factors for addiction as well as mental illness is the environment in which a person grows up in. Although there is a significant stigma about addiction, many people were prone to addiction due to how they were raised. Some of the risk factors for addiction and family environment include the following:
- One or both caregivers have an addiction to drugs or alcohol
- Physical abuse
- Emotional neglect
- Having a broken home
- Sexual abuse
In many cases when it comes to mental health, there is much more to do with nurture rather than nature. This is extremely important to realize when you’re trying to get clean and sober because you get answers. Addiction treatment programs help you to understand that while you chose to pick up the first drink or drug, you were at high risk of addiction without realizing it. As more people in our society begin to understand this scientific fact, the stigma around addiction will begin to decrease. Adolescent treatment can help young adults work through the problems they might be facing that stem from their family history or environment.
Addiction and Family History
In recent years, science has also made the discovery that there is a gene associated with addiction. Those with the addiction gene have a 50 percent chance of developing an addiction themselves. It’s important to realize that the genetic component of addiction is much different than the family environmental component. What this means is that if you have a genetic predisposition and had a negative family environment growing up, your risk of addiction was much higher.
Overcoming Your Addiction Through Treatment
The beautiful part about addiction treatment therapy is that you’ll learn to live an amazing life regardless of your family dynamic. A significant part of addiction recovery is learning how to live life successfully despite outside circumstances. Through therapy, you’ll begin the healing process and find out that you can overcome your past and build a bright future. For those with family members who are there to support the recovery journey, a family program is vital.
Zelus Recovery provides addiction programs for the Meridian, Idaho area. We’re a young adult program that encourages family involvement in the recovery process through family therapy. Together, we will help you begin to rebuild your relationships and live the life you deserve. Some of our other programs include:
Do you want to learn more about how there’s a connection between addiction and family? Reach out to Zelus Recovery today at 208.518.0797 to find out about treatment options.
