A lot of patients in Christian Rehabs wonder if alcoholism and addiction are genetic diseases, or if they occur randomly with no pre-existing susceptibility to their onset. Patients who chose Christian rehabs to undergo alcohol abuse treatment or drug treatment may question whether or not they have sinned against God or if they really have the disease they are being told they have by doctors in the Christian rehab where they are recovering.
While researchers in the 1980’s were determined to prove that they had discovered the gene responsible for alcoholism, their theory was debunked, and there is now a widespread belief that other genes may play significant roles in a person’s vulnerability to becoming addicted to drugs. Nevertheless, the Mayo clinic has established some risk factors that are a combination of psychological and genetic vulnerabilities for a person becoming a drug addict or alcoholic.
For patients in Christian rehabs, these factors may help to dispel the myth that their drug and alcohol abuse is entirely their fault. These factors can alleviate guilt for patients who are admitted for alcohol abuse treatment or drug treatment in a Christian rehab. The following factors have been published by the Mayo Clinic:
- Family History of Addiction: A person is more likely to become and addict if they have a family history of the disease. Many genes are involved in this predetermining factor. If a person has a blood relative, such as a mother or father with alcohol or drug problems, he or she is more at risk for addiction than a person who does not have a blood relative with addiction problems.
: A person is more likely to become and addict if they have a family history of the disease. Many genes are involved in this predetermining factor. If a person has a blood relative, such as a mother or father with alcohol or drug problems, he or she is more at risk for addiction than a person who does not have a blood relative with addiction problems.
- Being a male: Simply put, more men are addicts than women. Therefore, being male makes a person more at risk for addiction.
: Simply put, more men are addicts than women. Therefore, being male makes a person more at risk for addiction.
- Other psychological conditions: People with psychological problems such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder, or bipolar disorder are more likely to use drugs or alcohol to cope with negative feelings. This self medicating process puts a person more at risk for becoming addicted than a person with no psychological problems.
: People with psychological problems such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder, or bipolar disorder are more likely to use drugs or alcohol to cope with negative feelings. This self medicating process puts a person more at risk for becoming addicted than a person with no psychological problems.
- Peer Pressure: Young people may be more apt to try drugs and/or alcohol to fit in with peer groups. If a young person is susceptible to becoming an addict, this simple act of compliance with a peer group could set the addictive cycle in motion and cause severe harm.
Young people may be more apt to try drugs and/or alcohol to fit in with peer groups. If a young person is susceptible to becoming an addict, this simple act of compliance with a peer group could set the addictive cycle in motion and cause severe harm.
- Family neglect: A child who does not have an attachment to his or her parents, or whose parents are not supervising his or her actions is more at risk for addiction than a child who has involved parents.
A child who does not have an attachment to his or her parents, or whose parents are not supervising his or her actions is more at risk for addiction than a child who has involved parents.
- Loneliness: A lonely person may be trying to cope with their loneliness and the negative feelings associated with being lonely by taking drugs and/or drinking. Coping in this manner often could lead to addiction.
: A lonely person may be trying to cope with their loneliness and the negative feelings associated with being lonely by taking drugs and/or drinking. Coping in this manner often could lead to addiction.
- Taking a highly addictive drug. Drugs such as heroin, cocaine and crystal meth become addictive very quickly because of their chemical properties.
. Drugs such as heroin, cocaine and crystal meth become addictive very quickly because of their chemical properties.
While there is no one determining factor for the onset of addiction, the above mentioned factors have been proven to play significant roles in the onset of the disease.
