Not everyone who takes an opioid develops an addiction because we each have factors that either can be protective or lead us on the path to addiction. Factors that can lead to addiction are called Risk Factors for Addiction.
A person wth many risks factors is more likely to develop adiction than someone with few risk factors. Further, we are far from knowing all the risk factors for addiction, and in the end we cannot predict with any measure of certainty who will or will not develop addiction.
The science of addiction is in its infancy. Our escalating epidemic of opioid addiction verifies that what we know is just the tip of the iceberg. Still, we do know some of the risks. A fair number are well established, others require further study to verify their accuracy. ESTABLISHED RISKS FOR ADDICTION Genetic Risk Genetic risk refers to family trends, sometimes called “runs in families.” A child born into a family with generations of relatives with addiction may acquire genes predisposing to addiction. Genetic risk account for about one-half of the total risk of developing an addiction. Assessing for genetic risk is not an easy task. A detailed medical history and gene testing can be helpful to uncover genetic influences. As an example, genes located on chromosome 17 of our DNA increase the risk for addiction (http://1.usa.gov/1bhamoZ). And to complicate matters, social factors, such as peer pressure and poverty, can influence gene activity in ways we are now just beginning to understand (http://1.usa.gov/1SsllNa). You can learn more about genetics as it applies to addiction at http://bit.ly/1OshoEN. Deriving Pleasure from Opioids Deriving pleasure from opioids significantly increases the risk for addiction. …show more content…
The high or feeling of well-being is a powerful enticement to use the opioid again and again eventually leading to addiction (http://bit.ly/1ipuOFV). Heroin is especially powerful in producing pleasure and consequently is highly addictive.
Using opioids for pleasure is very likely to lead to addiction.
For example:
• Approximately 20 percent of persons who use opioids for pleasure will develop an addiction or other adverse consequences to them (http://bit.ly/1ipuOFV).
• Approximately 5 percent of persons prescribed painkillers to manage pain will eventually develop an addiction to opioids (http://1.usa.gov/1LpnwPu).
Means of Administration
Intravenous injection of opioids, as opposed to snorting or swallowing, increases the risk for addiction. The high develops so quickly and with such intensity that it promotes enticement to use again and again.
Note: Abusing opioids by any route of administration can lead to addiction.
Associating with Active Substance Abusers
Associating with active substance abusers increases the risk for addiction. If friends, neighbors, fellow students, or coworkers abuse substances, it may seem that drug abuse is the norm, not the exception. This is the classic example of peer pressure which is so important to teenagers and young adults. Maintaining associations with active drug abusers is almost certain to lead to continued abuse or a relapse. Easy Access • Painkillers left in the open or in unlocked cabinets can entice individuals with “prying eyes” to experiment (http://bit.ly/1i0q8Y9). • Drug dealers selling opioids on the street often have little fear of apprehension because the police often look the other way. The reasoning of the police? “They’ll be back selling tomorrow, so why go to the bother?” • Workers in food service have the highest rates of addiction (http://bit.ly/1QwG806). Substance abusers may offer non-using coworkers the opportunity to try drugs as a “rite of passage.” • Law enforcement officials can fall prey to addiction and illegal trafficking because of easy access to drugs and high profits from selling drugs. All Age Groups Are Vulnerable to Addiction • Abuse of substances at a young age dramatically increases the risk for addiction (http://1.usa.gov/1QwGO5z). Children under 10 years of age are known to abuse substances (http://bit.ly/1VUfm8L). The majority of adults who develop an addiction started to abuse substances at a young age (http://bit.ly/1Pg3haf). The most common substances of early abuse are marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine (http://bit.ly/1RPK116 and http://bit.ly/1R84ITB). • Teenagers are at high risk for developing addiction. Teenagers may enjoy the feeling painkillers produce and consequently abuse them (http://bit.ly/1PNVJeq and http://bit.ly/1OFcCIC). • Middle aged persons (ages 45-64) are at risk for addicition especially if they receive piankillers for a work-related injury. • The elderly are at high risk for developing an addiction. Most start with painkillers for chronic pain,
A person wth many risks factors is more likely to develop adiction than someone with few risk factors. Further, we are far from knowing all the risk factors for addiction, and in the end we cannot predict with any measure of certainty who will or will not develop addiction.
The science of addiction is in its infancy. Our escalating epidemic of opioid addiction verifies that what we know is just the tip of the iceberg. Still, we do know some of the risks. A fair number are well established, others require further study to verify their accuracy. ESTABLISHED RISKS FOR ADDICTION Genetic Risk Genetic risk refers to family trends, sometimes called “runs in families.” A child born into a family with generations of relatives with addiction may acquire genes predisposing to addiction. Genetic risk account for about one-half of the total risk of developing an addiction. Assessing for genetic risk is not an easy task. A detailed medical history and gene testing can be helpful to uncover genetic influences. As an example, genes located on chromosome 17 of our DNA increase the risk for addiction (http://1.usa.gov/1bhamoZ). And to complicate matters, social factors, such as peer pressure and poverty, can influence gene activity in ways we are now just beginning to understand (http://1.usa.gov/1SsllNa). You can learn more about genetics as it applies to addiction at http://bit.ly/1OshoEN. Deriving Pleasure from Opioids Deriving pleasure from opioids significantly increases the risk for addiction. …show more content…
The high or feeling of well-being is a powerful enticement to use the opioid again and again eventually leading to addiction (http://bit.ly/1ipuOFV). Heroin is especially powerful in producing pleasure and consequently is highly addictive.
Using opioids for pleasure is very likely to lead to addiction.
For example:
• Approximately 20 percent of persons who use opioids for pleasure will develop an addiction or other adverse consequences to them (http://bit.ly/1ipuOFV).
• Approximately 5 percent of persons prescribed painkillers to manage pain will eventually develop an addiction to opioids (http://1.usa.gov/1LpnwPu).
Means of Administration
Intravenous injection of opioids, as opposed to snorting or swallowing, increases the risk for addiction. The high develops so quickly and with such intensity that it promotes enticement to use again and again.
Note: Abusing opioids by any route of administration can lead to addiction.
Associating with Active Substance Abusers
Associating with active substance abusers increases the risk for addiction. If friends, neighbors, fellow students, or coworkers abuse substances, it may seem that drug abuse is the norm, not the exception. This is the classic example of peer pressure which is so important to teenagers and young adults. Maintaining associations with active drug abusers is almost certain to lead to continued abuse or a relapse. Easy Access • Painkillers left in the open or in unlocked cabinets can entice individuals with “prying eyes” to experiment (http://bit.ly/1i0q8Y9). • Drug dealers selling opioids on the street often have little fear of apprehension because the police often look the other way. The reasoning of the police? “They’ll be back selling tomorrow, so why go to the bother?” • Workers in food service have the highest rates of addiction (http://bit.ly/1QwG806). Substance abusers may offer non-using coworkers the opportunity to try drugs as a “rite of passage.” • Law enforcement officials can fall prey to addiction and illegal trafficking because of easy access to drugs and high profits from selling drugs. All Age Groups Are Vulnerable to Addiction • Abuse of substances at a young age dramatically increases the risk for addiction (http://1.usa.gov/1QwGO5z). Children under 10 years of age are known to abuse substances (http://bit.ly/1VUfm8L). The majority of adults who develop an addiction started to abuse substances at a young age (http://bit.ly/1Pg3haf). The most common substances of early abuse are marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine (http://bit.ly/1RPK116 and http://bit.ly/1R84ITB). • Teenagers are at high risk for developing addiction. Teenagers may enjoy the feeling painkillers produce and consequently abuse them (http://bit.ly/1PNVJeq and http://bit.ly/1OFcCIC). • Middle aged persons (ages 45-64) are at risk for addicition especially if they receive piankillers for a work-related injury. • The elderly are at high risk for developing an addiction. Most start with painkillers for chronic pain,