Addiction is a serious problem that does not discriminate. It can affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender, race, or income level. However, there are some addiction risk factors to be aware of.
If you are struggling with addiction, finding help is essential. Northpoint Seattle provides high-quality addiction recovery resources when you need them. Contact us online or call 888.483.6031 to learn more.
Age Addiction Risk Factors
The younger someone is when they start using alcohol or drugs, the greater their risk of developing an addiction. This is because the brain is still developing during adolescence and early adulthood, and substance abuse can interfere with this process. Additionally, young people are more likely to take risks and engage in risky behavior than older adults. This combination of factors puts young people at a higher risk of developing an addiction.
Gender Addiction Risk Factors
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), men are more likely to develop an addiction than women. This may be due to differences in brain chemistry or hormones. Men are also more likely to take risks and engage in risky behavior than women. This, again, may be due to differences in brain chemistry or hormones. Additionally, social norms play a role in this difference; for example, it is more socially acceptable for men to drink heavily than it is for women.
Race Addiction Risk Factors
There is a common misconception that addiction only affects certain groups of people. However, addiction is a problem that affects people of all races and ethnicities. According to NIDA, Indigenous people have the highest rates of substance abuse and addiction of any racial group in the United States. Caucasians, African Americans, and Latinos also have high rates of substance abuse and addiction.
Income Addiction Risk Factors
It is also a common misconception that only people with low incomes are affected by addiction. However, this is not the case; people of all income levels can be affected by addiction. People with low incomes may be more likely to develop an addiction due to stressors such as poverty and violence. People with high incomes also often struggle with addiction due to stressors such as job pressure and family obligations.
Trauma Addiction Risk Factors
Another important factor to consider is trauma. Traumatic events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), increasing the risk of developing an addiction. Some trauma examples include childhood abuse, sexual assault, and military combat. If you have experienced trauma, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional who can help you manage your symptoms and reduce your risk of developing an addiction.
Addiction Treatment at Northpoint Seattle
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, we want to help. At Northpoint Seattle, we offer various addiction treatment options, including inpatient and outpatient programs. We also offer a variety of resources for families struggling with addiction.
Our treatment programs include:
- Outpatient program – Provides flexible treatment that allows you to live at home and continue working or going to school while receiving treatment.
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP) – A more intensive level of care than outpatient treatment, but still allows you to live at home and continue working or going to school. During our IOP, you will attend group and individual therapy sessions several times per week.
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP) – A step up from our IOP. During PHP, you will attend group and individual therapy sessions for most of the day, several times per week.
When you are ready to get started with treatment, our admissions counselors will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. We will also help you find the right level of care based on your needs. Call 888.483.6031 or contact us online for more information.