Biology: Once a drug is used, it can be influenced into an addiction based in the inherited genetic traits. The genes in your body may delay or speed up the disease progression.

Environment: Things such as peer pressure, physical or sexual abuse, stress, early drug use, and lack of parental guidance can increase the likelihood of developing addiction

Development: Although addiction can progress at any age, it is more likely to proceed faster the earlier in life drug use begins. This is because the drugs used can stunt brain development and affect areas of the brain that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control; typically in the adolescent ages.

Mental health disorders: It is seen that individuals with ADHD or PTSD may be more likely to become addicted to drugs. Drug and alcohol use is typically associated with the idea of coping mechanisms for anxiety, depression, loneliness, or negative thoughts. However, using drugs to avoid these negative feelings can make them worse.

• health care support (professional or via programs)

• treatment centers

• learning how to cope

• how to help someone who is suffering from addiction (who may not seek help themselves)

3 out of 10 people in the United States have issues with mental health, drugs, or alcohol.

Daley, Dennis C. “Family and Social Aspects of Substance Use Disorders and Treatment.” Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 9 Sept. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158844/.

Edwards, Erika. “Teen Vaping Rates Rise, Nearing Pre-Pandemic Levels, CDC Reports.” NBCNews.Com, NBCUniversal News Group, 7 Oct. 2022, www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/teen-vaping-rates-rise-nearing-pre-pandemic-levels-cdc-reports-rcna50994.

Pottle , Zachary. “10 Most Common Addictions.” Addiction Center, 22 Feb. 2024, www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/10-most-common-addictions/.

“Prevention.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Sept. 2023, nida.nih.gov/research-topics/prevention#evidence-based-prevention-strategies. 

“Program Profile: Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) (1983-2009).” CrimeSolutions, National Institute of Justice, National Institute of Justice, 3 June 2011, crimesolutions.ojp.gov/ratedprograms/99. 

“What Is the Definition of Addiction?” American Society of Addiction Medicine, 2019, www.asam.org/quality-care/definition-of-addiction.

Volkow, Nora D. “Drugs and the Brain.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 22 Mar. 2022, nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain.

https://www.who.int/ (World Health Organization)

https://www.samhsa.gov/ (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

https://www.apa.org/ (American Psychological Association)

Social:

• Relationship distress and dissatisfaction: Families may experience high rates of tension and conflict related to addiction and the problems it causes in the family.

• Family instability: This may result from abuse or violence, or family breakup due to separation, divorce, or removal of children from the home

Physical:

• Damage to reproductive organs: Addiction has been shown to decrease and have adverse effects on reproductive health and fertility in both men and women.

• Damage to vital parts of the brain: Drugs can alter important brain areas that are necessary for life-sustaining functions and can drive the compulsive drug use that marks addiction.

Economic:

• Economic burden: This may be caused by money spent on substances, or money problems associated with addiction.

Mental:

• Emotional burden: Some may feel anger, frustration, anxiety, fear, worry, depression, shame and guilt, or embarrassment due to their addiction.

• The Basal Ganglia- Influencing positive motivation, these regions are pivotal for pleasurable experiences in healthy activities such as eating, socializing, and sex, as well as habit formation. Terming the brain’s "reward circuit," drugs can excessively stimulate it, causing the euphoria of a drug high. However, with frequent exposure, the circuit adapts, reducing sensitivity and hindering pleasure from anything other than the drug.

• The Extended Amygdala- This plays a role in stressful feelings like anxiety, irritability, and unease, which characterize withdrawal after the drug high fades and thus motivates the person to seek the drug again. This circuit becomes increasingly sensitive with increased drug use. Over time, a person with substance use disorder uses drugs to get temporary relief from this discomfort rather than to get high.

• The Prefrontal Cortex- Powering the ability to think, plan, solve problems, make decisions, and exert self-control over impulses. This is also the last part of the brain to mature, making teens most vulnerable. Shifting balance between this circuit and the circuits of the basal ganglia and extended amygdala makes a person with a substance use disorder seek the drug compulsively with reduced impulse control.

• Other parts of the brain are affected by opioid addictions. Specifically, in the brain stem which controls basic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and sleeping. This interference explains why overdoses can cause depressed breathing and death.

2) Were you aware of how/where to access resources for addictive behavior? Do you feel more confident in your ability to help someone suffering from addiction (in terms of noticing symptoms and suggesting further steps)?

3) How has learning this information affected your perspective on substance addictions or addictions in general? Do you feel any more or less empathetic to those struggling with addiction?

4) How can we break down the barriers and stigma surrounding addiction to ensure all individuals receive the support and treatment they need? How can we empower communities to shift from punitive approaches towards addiction to ones focused on empathy, education, and comprehensive support systems?

5) Why have we continued the use of addictive products like alcohol, nicotine, gambling, opioids if we have seen the repercussions. Why does society continually use if we have seen the negative side effects?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158844/

https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain

1. Alcohol: Alcohol is the number one most addictive product in the U.S. In 2020, nearly 140 million people reported drinking alcohol. That is nearly half of all people over the age of 12.  Alcohol being a social event item, noticing an addiction to alcohol is extremely difficult. Alcohol abuse can lead to liver disease, overdose and drunk driving that claims thousands of lives a year.

2. Nicotine: As of 2020, people aged 12 and older 8.5% of Americans reported struggling with nicotine addiction. Luckily, cigarette use has decreased over the last ten years while vaping products have skyrocketed. Vape products are everywhere from convenience stores, liquor stores, and mainly in schools. High schools and Middle schools have seen a pandemic with the use of vape products in schools with nearly 2.5 million kids using.

3. Marijuana: Over the last five years, marijuana has been legalized in 38 states. Recreational use of marijuana has become extremely common. In 2020, 5.1% or 14 million Americans aged 12 or older had marijuana disorder. There are a lot of jobs that no longer drug test for marijuana. Marijuana is not an extremely addictive product, but the continuous push can cause an epidemic.

4. Opioids: 1.1% or 2.7 million Americans aged 12 or older had an Opioid disorder in 2020. Opioids related deaths had increased nearly 30% from 2020 to 2021. The most common use of Opioids is through prescriptions, not a drug dealer. Opioid addiction can develop from seemingly harmless levels of use. Most people don’t realize they have an addiction until they try to stop. Opioids may not be the most used item but can cause the most problems.

5. Gambling, over the last five years online gambling has become the easiest way to become addicted. There are several different live 24/7 casinos that you do not have to leave from the comfort of your home to go like MGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel. A gambling addiction is the most common addiction to lie about. Online gambling has become one of the most addictive products in five years.

This program ultimately failed according to their research when students who were involved in the programs showed no significant improvement 5 years later compared to students who did not participate. (Program 3) 

A few other examples of evidence-based prevention programs that may be familiar are as listed:

• Family-based Programs (ex: Nurse-Family Partnership, Parenting classes) 

• School-based Programs (ex: D.A.R.E, Say No to Drugs)

• Community-based programs (ex: Local conversations addressing addiction issues within the community)

• Population Specific programs

• Prevention Strategies in Health Care Settings (ex: Doctor recommendations, Prevention pamphlets) 

• Workplace Programs
  (Prevention 5) 

1. Social Stigma: Addiction is often seen as a moral failing or a lack of willpower rather than a complex medical condition. This stigma can lead to shame and discrimination, making it difficult for individuals to seek help or disclose their struggles.

2. Legal Stigma: In many places, there are legal consequences associated with drug use or possession, leading individuals to fear legal repercussions if they seek help for their addiction.

3. Employment and Financial Barriers: People with addiction may face difficulties in finding or maintaining employment due to discrimination or impaired functioning. Financial instability can further exacerbate the challenges of seeking treatment.

4. Access to Treatment: There may be limited access to affordable and evidence-based treatment options for addiction, especially in rural or underserved areas. Lack of insurance coverage or high out-of-pocket costs can also be significant barriers.

5. Fear of Judgment from Healthcare Providers: Some individuals may avoid seeking help for addiction due to concerns about being judged or treated poorly by healthcare professionals.

6. Family Dynamics: Family members may contribute to the stigma surrounding addiction, either through misunderstanding or enabling behaviors. This can create additional barriers to seeking treatment or support.

7. Cultural and Religious Stigmas: Cultural or religious beliefs may view addiction as a personal failing or a taboo subject, making it difficult for individuals to seek help within their communities.

8. Internalized Stigma: Individuals struggling with addiction may internalize negative beliefs about themselves, leading to feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, which can further impede their recovery journey.

9. Lack of Education and Awareness: Misconceptions and misinformation about addiction can perpetuate stigma and prevent people from understanding the true nature of the condition and available treatment options.

10. Dual Diagnosis Stigma: People with co-occurring mental health disorders and addiction may face additional stigma and challenges in accessing appropriate treatment for both conditions.