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JOIN FREE GROUP Environmental Risk Factors for Developing an Addiction
Last update: February 26, 2024
Along with genetics, a person's environment is one of the main risk factors and causes of addiction. This means that the people, things, and situations that somebody is surrounded by on a regular basis are what can lead to addictive behaviour. Whether it's due to peer pressure, watching people use drugs on TV, or living in a community where certain addictive behaviour is common, someone's environment is a major deciding factor in whether or not they develop an addiction. Here are some of the main environmental risk factors to look out for. 
Image via Unsplash by skylakestudio Friends and social interactions can also greatly affect behaviour, and they can lead to addictive behaviour in certain individuals. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), this is especially true in adolescents because their brains aren't fully developed yet. If someone learns a behaviour while their brain is still developing, it's easier for that behaviour to become ingrained and, therefore, repeated. People want to fit in with their friend groups and may take on addictive behaviour, such as doing drugs or drinking alcohol, if their friends are engaging in that same behaviour. Most people want to spend time with others who share their interests, and unfortunately, in the case of addiction, the addictive behaviour is often the common interest within these groups. Young people are very susceptible to peer pressure and are likely to join in if their friends try to convince them to take part in an addictive behaviour. In fact, studies show that peer pressure may actually be among the most influential factors on addiction in adolescents. This doesn't only include someone's close friends or immediate friend group. It can also be a larger peer group, such as an entire student body at a school or a certain sports team, for example. Many young people try to follow what the majority of people they know are doing. Similarly, if someone feels left out, excluded, bullied, or like they don't have any friends, they may also turn to addictive behaviours to try to make themselves feel better and not quite as lonely.
Table of contents 1. Family and Home Environment 2. Friend Groups 3. Culture and Media 4. Learned Environments
Family and Home Environment
A person's family can have a strong influence on whether they develop addictions. This includes genetic tendencies toward addictive behaviour, as well as whether there's a family history of certain mental health issues that might lead someone to develop an addiction. It also includes a person's home environment and family interactions, such as parenting styles and various day-to-day circumstances within the home. For example, if a child sees a family member regularly exhibiting a certain addictive behaviour, they are more likely to learn and adapt to this same behaviour as well. In addition, a person's background can impact their likelihood of developing drug or alcohol addictions. For instance, children of divorce or those who have experienced or witnessed abuse may develop addictive behaviour later in life. This is because they may turn to a certain behaviour to cope with the stresses of their family dynamics, and this coping mechanism can become addictive. The good news is that while the family environment can lead a person toward addictive behaviour, it can also sometimes help prevent addiction. When there is a positive and close-knit family life and when people have a happy and healthy environment at home, this can help reduce the tendencies for people to develop addictions. If parents keep open communication with their children, keep track of what they're doing and with whom, and set boundaries for their children and teens, this often helps eliminate certain addictive behaviours.Friend Groups
Image via Unsplash by skylakestudio Friends and social interactions can also greatly affect behaviour, and they can lead to addictive behaviour in certain individuals. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), this is especially true in adolescents because their brains aren't fully developed yet. If someone learns a behaviour while their brain is still developing, it's easier for that behaviour to become ingrained and, therefore, repeated. People want to fit in with their friend groups and may take on addictive behaviour, such as doing drugs or drinking alcohol, if their friends are engaging in that same behaviour. Most people want to spend time with others who share their interests, and unfortunately, in the case of addiction, the addictive behaviour is often the common interest within these groups. Young people are very susceptible to peer pressure and are likely to join in if their friends try to convince them to take part in an addictive behaviour. In fact, studies show that peer pressure may actually be among the most influential factors on addiction in adolescents. This doesn't only include someone's close friends or immediate friend group. It can also be a larger peer group, such as an entire student body at a school or a certain sports team, for example. Many young people try to follow what the majority of people they know are doing. Similarly, if someone feels left out, excluded, bullied, or like they don't have any friends, they may also turn to addictive behaviours to try to make themselves feel better and not quite as lonely. 
