As with other diseases and disorders, the likelihood of developing an addiction differs from person to person, and no single factor determines whether a person will become addicted to drugs. In general, the more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs will lead to drug use and addiction. Protective factors, on the other hand, reduce a person's risk. Risk and protective factors may be either environmental or biological.
Risk FactorsProtective FactorsAggressive behavior in childhood13,14Good self-control15Lack of parental supervision14,16Parental monitoring and support16-18Poor social skills13,17,18Positive relationships17,19Drug experimentation14,20,21Good grades17,22Availability of drugs at school21,23School anti-drug policies17Community poverty24,25Neighborhood resources26📷
What biological factors increase risk of addiction?
Biological factors that can affect a person's risk of addiction include their genes, stage of development, and even gender or ethnicity. Scientists estimate that genes, including the effects environmental factors have on a person's gene expression, called epigenetics, account for between 40 and 60 percent of a person's risk of addiction.27 Also, teens and people with mental disorders are at greater risk of drug use and addiction than others.28
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