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Addiction and Environment
Several environmental factors can
contribute to addiction. Children who were
raised by drug addicted or alcoholic parents are
more likely to develop addictions themselves.
Children who were raised in abusive environments
are also more likely to develop addictions as a
way to cope with negative emotions surrounding
the abuse. Individuals who live in poor or
economically depressed areas often develop
addictions, and teens who experience peer
pressure in their social environments often
succumb to the temptation to use drugs or abuse
alcohol.
Both genetic and environmental
factors have to be considered when reviewing the
basic causes of drug addiction and alcoholism.
The environment which surrounds the individual,
especially during the very critical formative
years, can influence the likelihood of whether
or not an addiction will be developed later on
in life.
The official definition of
Alcohol Addiction by The U.S. National Council
on Alcohol and Drug Dependence is: "Alcoholism
is a primary, chronic disease with genetic,
psychological, and environmental factors
influencing its development and manifestations.
The disease is often progressive and fatal. It
is characterized by impaired control over
drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol,
use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and
distortion in thinking, most notably denial."
One in every 13 Americans is
considered to be a victim of alcoholism. This
only includes the individuals who are already
alcoholic, where only intensive therapy in a
rehabilitation center would be enough to restore
them as a normally functioning member of their
families, occupations and societies.
There are tens of millions more
people in the United States alone who engage in
excessive drinking behaviors and are on the way
to becoming full blown alcoholics. It is
impossible for anyone to change their genetic
makeup, regardless of whether or not there is a
vulnerability to cancers, cholesterol or
alcoholism in the family genes; it is simply not
possible to delete that factor from our own
genetic material. It is important to realize
that the environmental factors can be managed
and positive choices can be made when faced with
the possibility of continued alcoholism or drug
addiction.
Silence is the enemy of recovery.
It is important for family, co-workers, friends
and anyone associated with the drug addict or
alcoholic to discuss the situation with the
alcoholic or drug addict, particularly at times
of sobriety. It is important that the alcoholic
or drug addict is exposed to the fatal nature of
their situation. Medical information, family
information or general information about
addiction and the devastation it can cause
should not be ignored by anyone. There are many
specific, local and national organizations that
are immediately accessible to the person, friend
or family member that suffers with drug
addiction or alcoholism.
By: Patrick McLemore
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