You have hit Day 0 again. If you have an addictive personality, you know how frustrating this can be sometimes. After battling your vice with all of your will, you are beaten again. Then, when you try to get back up, it stomps you back down again. Addiction is not something to be taken lightly. Therefore, if you are aware you have an addictive personality, help to avoid destructive behavior is a proactive step for you to take.
However, attempting to avoid something is no easy task. Unfortunately, many people are already in the throes of addiction before they start their battle against it. This is why it is important for you to know if you have any potential risk factors that could lead you towards addiction. If you do, you should consult with your doctor and discuss therapy to ensure you do not develop dangerous habits. You can even consider online counseling by using BetterHelp.
Listed below are some of the warning signs that you might be at risk of developing an addiction.
#1 - Heredity
This is one of the big three of risk factors. It is the basic idea that like tends to follow like. If you have a history of substance abuse in your family, especially from your parents or grandparents, you are more likely to develop an addiction to a substance; whether legal or illegal. This rule is true for any addiction. If either of your parents were addicted to alcohol, then you are at a much higher risk of developing a drinking problem yourself.
However, it does not always work that way. Some individuals have what is called an "addictive personality." This means that they can easily become obsessed with a notion or a habit. For the
aforementioned alcohol-addicted parent, his or her child could become addicted to gambling instead. Heredity increases your chances by a large margin, so if there is history of addiction within your family, a talk with your doctor is a step towards healing.
#2 - Past Addiction
If you have suffered with an addiction at some point in the past, your brain will have formed neural pathways that make it easier for you to give in to your past addiction. Even if you managed to break free from it, those pathways are still in place, though they are now in disuse. However, this makes you potentially more susceptible to becoming addicted again, perhaps to the same substance or to a different one.
In addition, if you were exposed at a young age to a drug, usually between the ages of 18 and 24, although it can also be earlier, you are much more likely to become addicted again to that drug. Unfortunately, drug use while your brain is still developing can make you more likely to develop an addiction. If this is the case for you, use extreme caution around any substances that cause a high rate of addiction.
#3 - Environment
The third most common warning sign of a pending addiction is the environment that you came from. If your parents were absent when you were younger, for example, you are at a higher risk of developing an addiction than if they had been present. And, unfortunately, many young adults fall into the trap where they get addicted while their brains are still developing. As mentioned previously, this makes them even more susceptible to getting addicted to other substances.
Peer pressure is a second environmental warning sign. The opinions of others can be very persuasive, especially for younger generations. This can lead to an addiction that can spiral out of control. Depending on your experience, you may need to avoid environmental triggers that could influence you back to or closer towards substance abuse.
Keep a Watchful Eye
One of the most important things to do is to have hope, a reason to live beyond an addiction. Even if you fit one of these three descriptions of addiction development, you can still recover. If you are addicted and are reaching out for help, there are places and solutions out there to support you. All you need to do is look for them.
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