There are some people who can take something with an addictive quality just once and never feel the need to pick it up again. For example, it’s common for teenagers to try a cigarette because it seems “cool,” but many don’t go on to smoke every single day. So what causes a person to experience addiction to a substance like opioids?
Opioids are a prescription medication that’s given for chronic pain or to reduce severe pain following surgery. Up to 34% of people who take prescription pain medication, such as opioids, develop an addiction. However, there are factors that increase the likelihood of developing an addiction to opioids.
By learning about the contributing factors to opioid addiction, you can understand why some people are more likely to experience it than others. We’ll also discuss how Groups can help anyone who has developed an opioid addiction.
Factors that increase the risk of developing an opioid addiction
Taking a substance with addictive properties, such as opioids, doesn’t automatically cause addiction. There are a variety of contributing factors that increase the risk of experiencing opioid use disorder. Many of them can’t be controlled. While these factors don’t automatically result in addiction, they can increase your susceptibility to it.
Here are factors that may put someone at a higher risk of developing an addiction to opioids:
- Family history of addiction — Genetics can play a role in many health concerns, including addiction. If people in your family have experienced opioid addiction, it boosts the likelihood that you may develop an addiction as well. While the addiction itself can’t be passed along, the increased susceptibility can. The exact genes that result in addiction haven’t been identified by research at this time. However, there are genes that impact the nervous system and neurotransmitters that may be connected to addiction.
- Past or current substance use — There are a variety of substances that people can use and form an addiction to, such as alcohol and cocaine. If you currently have a substance addiction or you’ve had one in the past, it can increase the likelihood of developing opioid use disorder. You become used to the pleasurable feelings and experiences from one substance. This mindset can cause you to seek them from another source.
- Mental health distress or conditions — When you’re having mental health challenges, such as intense stress or other mental health disorder symptoms, you may try to find a coping mechanism. You may also try to self-medicate by using opioids. It’s possible that having certain mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, can cause impulsive behavior, including taking opioids. Mental health challenges can also affect your decision-making when it comes to taking opioids or fighting the urge to continue using.
- Young age at first use — When you’re a young adult, you’re trying to figure out who you are, what you like and what you want out of life. That often means trying new things, even risky things, such as taking opioids. Young adults ages 18-25 have a risk of developing an opioid addiction because of peer pressure or stressful life changes. They may also have a lack of awareness of the long-term effects of certain substances.
- Home or social environment — How you were raised and the people you surround yourself with can play a role in your decisions and behaviors. That includes substance use. People who have difficult relationships with their families, experienced traumatic events in their early life, have unsafe living situations or friends who participate in substance use can be at risk for opioid addiction. They could be turning to drugs as a coping mechanism. They may also be living in an environment where opioids are often used or have been normalized.
Groups can help you treat an addiction to opioids
Opioid addiction is a medical disorder known as opioid use disorder and it can affect a person’s mental, physical and emotional well-being. When a person has a risk factor for addiction, it’s vital that they receive the right care and resources to fight against their addiction and work toward a happier, healthier future.
At Groups, we help you every step of the way along your recovery journey, including managing withdrawal symptoms, talking through the challenges in support groups and working toward goals with social services.
Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today for more information or to begin your recovery.
