What will cause an addiction?
Addiction. What is the cause? Why do some people become alcoholics, gamblers and drug addicts and others do not? We will address the correlations with trauma, having a difficult childhood, genes and mental illness’. The answer to “What can cause addiction?” can be any or all of these – but also none of them.
Genetics
First is it genetic? We often call addiction a family illness, partly because if you have an addict in your family, that person affects the whole family causing stress and worry for all family members. However, addiction is a family illness in another sense in that it can be genetic. Furthermore, Some families are absolutely ‘riddled’ with addicts and alcoholics: mum and /or dad were affected, as were siblings, cousins etc etc. It definitely can be inherited.
Trauma
It is also true that many – but certainly not all – alcoholics and addicts have experienced emotional pain and trauma in their past. Something has caused them grief and sadness and they have not dealt with this. Instead they have run away from their feelings and deadened them with drink and drugs. As time has gone on, this is how they have learned to cope with all emotions and feelings – by self medicating and not dealing with life and its challenges.
Mental Health
Others may be experiencing other forms of mental trauma and issues – depression, mood swings, anxiety, stress and fear for example. Drink and drugs help them to escape these feelings and to deal with them. So at first a drink or drug can lift the depressive mood, make us feel relaxed, more confident and positive – more at ease with ourselves. However, we soon discover this is not a long term fix.
Whatever the cause, there is really no excuse to not get help.
Whatever might be the risk factors in your own life, they may provide part the explanation for your addiction. However, they do not provide the excuse. If there is addiction in your family history, it can stop with you. You can get treatment at an addiction treatment centre (if affordable) or go to Alcoholics Anonymous or one of the other fellowship groups (eg Narcotics Anonymous) and get the support you need. You may be able to get a detox through your GP or local drug and alcohol services.
Healing
If you have experienced some form of trauma, this too can be dealt with in a good treatment centre where they should take you back through your whole life history in the course of your treatment. Alternatively, ask your GP for a referral to a counselling service or, if you are fortunate enough to be able to source a private counsellor, then open your heart to them to receive guidance and healing.
Will Medication Help?
Generally speaking, alcoholics, gamblers and drug addicts do not benefit from medication to treat depression, stress or anxiety. Medication will not work if taken alongside alcohol and other substances. Nor will it help us learn to cope with our feelings. It is often just another way to block us off from our feelings and running away from life. So while there are people who need anti depressants and other mood controlling medication, it is not likely to be the answer for the addict / alcoholic. Talking therapies and a treatment programme (such as a twelve step programme) have a much greater chance of success.
Sometimes There Is No Specific Cause
So yes, if there is a family history, you have experienced trauma or you have a mental illness or conditions, then you are more likely to become an alcoholic or addict. You may have none of these – no family history, no trauma and no mental issues – and still become an alcoholic or addict. There might be other reasons – lack of confidence, perfectionism, all manner of other things that have led you down the addiction path. However, you do not have to stay in active addiction. Good treatment programmes and support groups exist for all those who want to get and stay well.