Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves genetic predisposition. If you have a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, with alcohol or drug addiction, you’re at greater risk of developing a drug addiction. Favorable parental attitudes towards substance misuse also increases the likelihood of developing a substance misuse pattern.

If you have a mental health disorder such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or post-traumatic stress disorder, you’re more likely to become addicted to drugs. Using drugs can become a way of coping with painful feelings, such as anxiety, depression and loneliness, and can make these problems even worse.

Childhood trauma like physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, physical or emotional neglect, death of a loved one, divorce, serious accidents/brain trauma, mental or physical illness, substance abuse in the home/family, violence against your mother, having a loved one in jail/prison, and long-term bullying or stressful life situations.

Peer pressure is a strong factor in starting to use and misuse drugs, particularly for young people. Association with peers who are delinquent or using substances can increase risk.

Students who do not feel connected to other adults at school or suffer from low academic achievement and/or learning issues struggle to feel acceptable and can turn to substance misuse as a source of connectivity.

Difficult family situations or lack of a bond with parents or siblings may increase the risk of addiction, as can a lack of parental supervision and involvement. Family rejection due to sexual orientation and/or gender identity may also increase the risk of developing addiction.

Using drugs at an early age can cause changes in the developing brain and increase the likelihood of progressing to drug addiction.

Some drugs, such as stimulants, cocaine or opioid painkillers, may result in faster development of addiction than other drugs. Both smoked and injected drugs enter the brain within seconds, producing a powerful rush of pleasure. The “high” fades and the person no longer feels good then the body requires more. Taking drugs considered less addicting — so-called “light drugs” — can start you on a pathway of drug use and addiction.