As with any illness (breast cancer, heart disease, etc.) there are certain risk factors that we all need to be aware of that can add to the chances of one beconing an addict. Some of these risk factors follow.

• Genetics. If alcoholism or drug addiction runs in your family you are most likely more predisposed to become an alcoholi/addict youself.


• Mental/Emotional Problems. Those who suffer from depression, bipolar disease, post traumatic stress disorder, and many other mental illnesses have a higher chance of becoming addicts.


• Loners. Those who are loners without any or many friends to confide in tend to have an increased chance of becoming addicts.


• Type of Friends. People, especially adolescents and teens are much more likely to develop problems with drugs or alcohol if they continually hang around others who drink and get high.

These are just a few of the risk factors. If you have any of these or know someone, perhaps a child, who does, it does not mean you, or they, will automatically become an addict it just means more attention should be paid to their behavior in hopes of stopping something before it starts or goes too far.