Do you know someone who suffers from substance abuse disorder and needs to seek help from a substance abuse treatment program? Surprisingly, the odds are good that you do, though you may not realize it. Addiction is a chronic disease that doesn’t discriminate. Accordingly, it can affect your next-door neighbor, your child’s teacher, or your sibling. Moms and Dads are susceptible to substance abuse disorders. So are aunts, uncles, and the people you shake hands with every week in church.
The risk factors for addiction play powerful roles in who develops a substance abuse disorder and who doesn’t. Generally, what’s important to remember is that there is no shame in falling victim to this disease, and that help is readily available to help you recover from addiction treatment center programs. Like any disease, substance use disorder or addiction needs proper professional drug addiction treatment so individuals can heal and recover.
What Are the Risk Factors for Addiction?
Risk factors are situations and circumstances that put you at a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder. Scientists now believe that risk factors are why one person can use a drug or drink alcohol with no problem, while another develops an addiction. Risk factors come in several forms. Some can be environmental while others are social or cultural. Being aware of the risk factors around you can allow individuals to identify negative behaviors early and prevent substance use disorder. For instance, risk factors include:
- Poor parental supervision during childhood
- Caretakers who abused drugs or alcohol
- Poverty
- Easy access to drugs and alcohol
- Association with those who use drugs
- Aggressive behavior early in life
If you’ve experienced any of these situations in your past, or if you currently spend time with people who abuse drugs, this puts you at a higher risk of addiction yourself. For this reason, a drug addiction treatment center in Massachusetts may be the solution.
What Are Protective Factors?
Just as risk factors for addiction increase your chances of developing a disorder, protective factors decrease them. In general, protective factors are those that may help you avoid becoming dependent upon a chemical substance. These include:
- Having parents or caregivers who are positively involved in your life
- Experiencing clear boundaries and consistent discipline
- Enjoying a strong parental bond
- Having positive ties to your neighborhood
- Doing well academically
- Being exposed to anti-drug information
Even if you’ve experienced risk factors for addiction in your past, these protective factors may still help you avoid addiction. Sadly, it’s those individuals who’ve never had true, positive influences in their lives who are most at-risk of becoming lost.
What to Do When Addiction Strikes You
If you or someone you love is experiencing the signs and symptoms of substance abuse disorder, it’s time to reach out for help from a quality alcohol addiction treatment program. For those in the Massachusetts area, Rockland Recovery Treatment Center holds the answers you need. Rockland Recovery Treatment Center will help you explore your risk factors for addiction while providing you with the healthy coping skills and recovery behaviors needed to achieve sobriety for life. Consequently, Rockland Recovery Treatment Center offers:
- Substance abuse treatment in Massachusetts for adult men and women
- A structured, 12-step program of recovery
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Partial hospitalization care
- Sober living facilities
Call Rockland Recovery Treatment Center Today
Our beautiful locations and cozy accommodations at our sober living homes make recovering at Rockland Recovery Treatment Center a warm experience. Caring staff who understand and a full complement of experienced medical professionals lead the way to healing. As a result, you’ll find peace here and sobriety. Take that first step right now and call us today at 855.732.4842. It may be the most important call you ever make.
