Addictions often develop as a result of ‘positive reinforcement’, claims a report in Neuropsychopharmacology. This is a psychological process whereby a person is driven to take the drug repeatedly to achieve a biological ‘reward’. Positive reinforcement is particularly common among people who already struggle with another condition or disorder. These drugs can give temporary relief and provide an appealing break from the symptoms of the pre-existing condition.
When prescription drugs are misused, users achieve a ‘high’ in the form of relaxation, pleasure, mild euphoria, increased concentration, or significantly reduced anxiety and depression.
According to The Psychiatric Clinics of North America, genetics may also play a role in the onset of addiction. If a person has an immediate relative suffering from substance abuse, then that person is at a higher risk of developing an addiction themselves.
A third common factor in developing an addiction is a person’s environment, according to a report in Military Medicine. If an individual is exposed to substance abuse in their early years, the behavior may become normalized, and the dangers associated with misuse will seem less dangerous. If a person is surrounded by peers who use drugs, they are also more likely to misuse them. In addition, the experience of stressful life events such as sudden loss or trauma can increase a person’s likelihood of substance misuse.
At Excel Treatment Center, we provide every client with an initial mental health screening and assessment before creating an individually tailored treatment program. Identifying other conditions allows us to tailor our recommendations to suit our client’s personal circumstances and give them the best chance of success.
