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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffPeople of any age, sex or economic status can become addicted to a drug. However, certain factors can affect the likelihood of your developing an addiction:
- Family history of addiction. Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves the effects of many genes. If you have a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, with alcohol or drug problems, you're at greater risk of developing a drug addiction.
- Being male. Men are twice as likely to have problems with drugs.
- Having another psychological problem. If you have a psychological problem, such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder, you're more likely to become dependent on drugs.
- Peer pressure. Particularly for young people, peer pressure is a strong factor in starting to use and abuse drugs.
- Lack of family involvement. A lack of attachment with your parents may increase the risk of addiction, as can a lack of parental supervision.
- Anxiety, depression and loneliness. Using drugs can become a way of coping with these painful psychological feelings.
- Taking a highly addictive drug. Some drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, cause addiction faster than do others.
References
- Commonly abused drugs. National Institutes of Health. http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/DrugsofAbuse.html. Accessed June 28, 2011.
- Samet JA. Drug abuse and dependence. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/158928328-6/0/1492/148.html?tocnode=54613109&fromURL=148.html. Accessed June 28, 2011.
- Weaver MF, et al. Overview of the recognition and management of the drug abuser. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 28, 2011.
- Substance dependence. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed July 11, 2011.
- Renner JA Jr, et al. Drug addiction. In: Stern TA, et al. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04743-2..X5001-X&isbn=978-0-323-04743-2&uniqId=262392956-3. Accessed June 28, 2011.
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