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Addiction risk

   Taking any drug can be hazardous, but some people have extreme responses to certain drugs that destroy their lives. The addiction risk on drugs is related to four major factors:

1) Genetic factors inherited from the parents

2) The childhood experiences (both with the family and peer group)

3) The current peer group and life situation

4) The level of addictive and risk potential of the drugs used

Genetic Factors inherited from the parents  An important way of evaluating the importance of genetic factors in alcoholism and drug addiction are the studies of identical twins who were separated at birth and raised apart, each one in a different family and different environment. Due tot the fact that the different environments the twins were raised in couldn’t beat the genetic factors leads to the fact that inherited patterns contribute 40 % to the likelihood that a person will develop a substance dependency.

The childhood experiences Growing up in dysfunctional families exposes the individual to conflict and fighting, experiencing disrupted relationships and emotional and physical abuse or neglect. Being exposed to continuous traumatic events, a child is frightened and angry and develops feelings of guilt. The disruptive childhood experiences teaches the children that the world is unsafe. The constant sense of anxiety often goes away after the first drink or drug use. Suddenly a sense of comfort never experienced before appears. Unfortunately, from here to "I like this stuff, I want more" there is only one step...

The current peer group and life situation Peer groups strongly influence the individuals through the experimental years of adolescence. Teenage years are a time to explore new behaviors. Living in an atmosphere where all the friends drink or use drugs excessively leads to seing these behaviors as normal. If the emotional environment is one where heavy drinking and drug using is not common, the probability to develop a style that avoids excessive use is bigger.

The level of addictive and risk potential of the drugs used No drug is truly safe for everyone, but some people have extreme reactions. A person may smoke marijuana just once and suffer such a severe panic reaction that he or she will never be able to function normally again. For many years, people have argued that marijuana is "a natural substance" and not harmful. Today, it is known it’s addictive and among many other health effects, it harms the lungs and makes the immune system less effective. Yet marijuana is a far less addictive and dangerous drug for most people than cocaine or heroin. Some drugs are so pleasurable that for some people, it is not safe to try them even once. Using heroin or cocaine, powdered or crack (rock), even one time causes such intense cravings for some individuals that they use it again and again, rapidly becoming addicted.

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