Getting to the Root Cause of Addiction

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Getting to the Root Cause of Addiction

Addiction can sometimes occur very slowly over time without a person even realizing it is happening. It can start by having a drink to end the workday or trying out a new drug for the first time. While the person may feel that they are totally in control of their substance use, before long, they may find themselves needing more of it to feel the same effects. As time goes on, they may feel as if they need this substance to get through their day-to-day life. 

One of the most important aspects of seeking treatment is working to determine the root cause of a person’s addiction. Working with a doctor and going through detox is a significant step in the right direction. If the root cause of a person’s addiction is only determined and not addressed, it is likely that they fall back into substance use quickly. 

Understanding Why Addiction Happens  

When people use drugs or alcohol, they often experience a sense of relief or euphoria, and the pleasure part of their brain is activated. These substances may help them escape from whatever stressful or negative emotions they are dealing with. While an individual may start turning to substance use for comfort occasionally, it can become a type of crutch that prevents them from having to truly address the issues at hand. 

In time, substance use can alter the way the brain works and make it very difficult for a person to quit without professional assistance. This can lead to a dangerous situation and the possibility of severe health complications or overdose. 

The Most Common Root Causes Connected to Addiction 

The root cause of someone’s addiction refers to the reason why they ever felt the need or desire to misuse a substance in the first place. For some people, the answer to this question is obvious, and they will be able to pinpoint it right away. For others, they may have no idea what led to their addiction. In this situation, it can be helpful for individuals to speak with a therapist specializing in addiction who can help them work through their emotions. They can begin to reflect back on different events in their life that could have led up to this point. 

Some of the most common root causes of addiction include: 

#1. High levels of stress: When people are dealing with high levels of stress regularly, such as financial struggles, work-related stress, or relationship problems, they may feel tempted to turn to drug use to cope. This can also occur when going through stressful life situations like a divorce, job change, or the illness of a family member. 

#2. Undiagnosed or untreated mental health disorder: Many people do not realize that they are suffering from a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thus, they have simply accepted how they are feeling as their reality and have not sought out the treatment of a medical professional. The longer this goes on, the more dangerous their addiction and consequent health conditions can become. 

#3. Genetics: When an individual has a close relative that struggled with substance use, they are more likely to also battle with addiction. 

#4. Trauma: Trauma is another one of the most common causes of addiction. This can be trauma that was treated years ago and resurfaced or a more recent traumatic event that has yet to be addressed. Examples of trauma include experiencing abuse, car accidents, witnessing an act of gore or violence, losing a loved one, witnessing a natural disaster, or any other event that would have caused great mental, physical or emotional distress. 

Many people go years without dealing with their trauma and try not to think about it or pretend that it never happened. Not dealing with the painful emotions surrounding trauma can make addiction worse. 

The Process of Healing 

Once an individual has been able to identify the root cause of their addiction, they can begin to work with a therapist to heal from past pain or make necessary life changes. This can help ensure that after they have completed treatment, they have the greatest possible chance of obtaining long-term recovery. Some examples of possible changes that a therapist could recommend include: 

  • Attending counseling or peer support group meetings to cope with grief
  • Learning more effective ways to deal with stress like exercise, yoga, mediation, and breathing techniques
  • Taking medication to ease the side effects of a mental health disorder
  • Seeking out a new profession that will be less intense and stressful
  • Spending time away from those who cause stress

The root cause of addiction is what caused an individual to feel the need or desire to start engaging in substance misuse in the first place. It is critical to be able to identify this cause and address it while going through treatment for addiction. If this issue is not addressed, they may fall back into addiction after leaving a treatment facility. Some people may need the help of an addiction specialist to identify this cause. Some of the most common root causes associated with addiction include trauma, genetics, stressful events, and undiagnosed mental health disorders. At The Kimberly Center, we have helped countless patients take their lives back from addiction, and we can help you, too. If you are struggling with a substance use disorder, call (855) 452-3683 today to learn more about the types of services we provide. We will be happy to answer any questions you have.

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