by Kenneth Gregory Smith

Created on: February 05, 2011

   Substance abuse or dependence is considered a biopsychosocial disorder. There are many factors that influence whether a person will be someone who can experiment with substances or use substances occasionally or will be someone who becomes a full-blown addict.

     The first factor is genetics. Persons whose biological parents were addicted to substances are extremely vulnerable to inheriting the addictive trait. This comes from the person not only being exposed to family member's substance use while growing up, but inheriting the brain chemistry that causes the person to not be able to control their substance use once they begin to use.

      The second factor is childhood trauma or dysfunction. A person who suffers from childhood abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, etc.) develops coping mechanisms that often involve using substances to medicate the emotional pain and shame of the abuse. A person who is abandoned as a child can develop deep-seated beliefs that they are worthless. Substances serve to fill the inner emptiness the person feels and experiences. Other traumatic events such as the death of a parent, an accident, or exposure to a natural disaster can produce changes in the brain that makes a person more vulnerable to use substances to cope.

      A third factor is personality styles. A narcissistic personality-someone who feels entitled and is selfish-uses substances to enhance their inflated sense of self. An impulsive personality uses substances to obtain instant gratification. A depressed personality uses substances to feel better and to energize themselves. An anti-social personality uses substance to rebel against the norms of society.

     A fourth factor is environment. A person who lives in a culture or neighborhood where drug use is prevalent can succumb to the pressure to use that comes from their peers. Many teenagers (or even young middle schoolers) begin using substances due to peer pressure from their environment. 

     A fifth factor is spiritual. A person who lacks purpose in their life is tempted to use substances as a way to find meaning. Many famous songwriters and poets have penned lyrics about the meaning of life while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

     There are many factors that influence whether a person will use substances, how much they will use, and whether the sue will turn into an addiction. Each factor influences the others.

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