Addiction is such a traumatic event in the life of anyone. Not only do those suffering from addiction have to go through a lot, but those who love and care for them are in for a long haul as well. Thus, it is entirely reasonable to wonder if addiction on both sides of one’s family means that one is doomed to face addiction as well.
The Increased Risks
There are both biological and environmental factors that play into addiction. It is a complex science to be sure, and anyone claiming to understand every element that plays into it is not be forthright with you. However, we do know for a fact that those who come from families that have addiction on both sides of the family are at an increased risk to suffer from the same addiction themselves. Even addiction on one side of the family is enough to put some people at an increased risk of becoming an addict themselves. Thus, it is important to understand your risks.
It is undoubtedly frightening to hear this for those who find themselves precisely in this boat, but the good news is that it is not a guarantee by any stretch of the imagination that one’s path to addiction is set in stone. There are plenty of biological factors at play to be sure, but the best defense against this possibility is to have adequate tools to protect oneself.
Identifying Addictive Behaviors From The Start
Terminating an addictive behavior is a lot easier to do while it is still in the early stages of development. Those with addiction on both sides of their family need to be particularly aware of the risks that they run when it comes to addiction. They need to do whatever possible to identify when possible addictive behaviors are cropping up in their own life.
Different addictions manifest in different ways, but some of the warning signs of most addictions include the following:
- A Preoccupation With Thoughts About The Destructive Behavior
- Beginning To Partake In An Addictive Behavior
- Spending Time Around People Who Partake In An Addictive Behavior
- Loss Of Interest In Things That Once Interested You
Those are just a few of the things that people may do as they begin to dip their toes into the dangerous pool of an addictive behavior. A lot of those same individuals will attempt to justify their actions to themselves and others by insisting that they are not an addict like someone else in their family. That is yet another sign that someone has begun to take a long walk into a very dangerous area of life.
Speaking About Your Concerns Can Be Helpful
Some people find it to be an awkward conversation to discuss a family history of addiction. Some might not want to breach the topic at all with their family members because it is just too sensitive. In those scenarios, it is best to at least try to reach out to someone who will listen. Ignoring the reality of addiction in one’s family is no way to live. That is the “bury your head in the sand” approach, and that simply does not work when combating addiction. Those who attempt this always end up in a worse place than they were to begin with.
It is not always possible to find friends who want to talk about these situations either. In that case, hiring a professional to talk to about these things makes a lot of sense. Some people are still resistant to the whole concept of doing this, but honestly it is a lot more cost-effective than the alternative. Going down a path of addiction and destruction yourself is a terrible thing to take chances with.
Getting Help Before Something Becomes A Crisis
Put the fire out before it ever gets the chance to become a bigger blaze. This is the best advice from those who have been in your shoes before. You are right to be concerned that having family members with addiction on both sides of your family means that you face an uphill battle yourself. Hopefully, this is not the situation that you end up in, but there is no way to know that, and it is best not to take a chance that you do end up having some addictive behaviors.
Call 844-639-8371 and let us know what you have going on. We have plenty of people here standing by to help people in the same situation that you find yourself in today. We are eager to be of assistance, and that is what we want for your life.