Substance Addiction Causes

In the attempt to escape from reality, possibly negative overwhelming life circumstances or events, people have resorted to the use of substances that produce physical, mental, and or psychological changes. Generally, substance disorders can affect people from all walks of life (regardless of spiritual, cultural, biological, or psychological status quo) they can become physically and psychologically hooked to any substance after being exposed to high dosages for a long period of time. Many of the causes for substance abuse/disorders are found to be feelings of guilt, fear, immorality, frustration, stress, low self-esteem, depression, any form of loss (death or other forms of unexpected losses, such as, unemployment, divorce, etc.) and peer pressure (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002, pp. …show more content…
People with this disorder continually look for ways to elude from the facts of life under the influence of their addiction they can live a life filled with illusions that help numb their feelings and responses, self-denial, delusional episodes, social seclusion, and spiritual uncertainty. Theorists believed that prolonged substance usage creates “neurochemical tolerance,” increase usage, creates higher substance cravings and leading to repeated behavior, in addition, other health physical health issues that may be directly related to the addiction (Clinton, Hart, & Ohlschlager, 2005, pp. 255-257). Substance disorders have a negative impact on the family members too, such as, possibly experiencing distress or even dealing with abuse, however, theorist believe that spouses, children, and friends can also become enablers too – by believing they can “ignore, tolerate, and even enable addiction” or even suffering from similar disorder (Clinton, Hart, & Ohlschlager, 2005, p. 265). Society also suffers, addicts may turn to committing criminal acts, possibly to support their addiction