Most addictions start with the casual use of a drug or alcohol, particularly in social situations. For some people, drug and/or alcohol use/misuse becomes more frequent.
Your risk for addiction is influenced by a combination of factors that include your genetics, social environment, and age or stage of development.
The risk of addiction and how fast you become dependent also vary by substance. Some substances cause dependence more quickly than others.
Major risk factors include:
- Family history of addiction: Genetics play a significant role, accounting for 40–60% of a person’s risk. If a parent or close relative has struggled with addiction, the risk is higher citation 1| 2|3.
- Mental health conditions: Disorders such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, or PTSD make individuals more vulnerable, as substances may be used to cope with symptoms citation 4|5 | 6.
- Early use: Beginning drug or alcohol use at a young age increases the risk of addiction later in life, as early exposure can alter brain development citation 7|8 |9.
- Peer pressure and social environment: Association with friends or peers who use substances, or living in a community where drug use is normalized, raises the risk citation 10|11 |12.
- Family conflict or lack of supervision: Homes with frequent conflict, poor communication, or inadequate parental monitoring are linked to higher substance use citation 13|14 |15.
- Trauma or abuse: Experiences of trauma, including childhood abuse or neglect, are strongly associated with later substance misuse citation 16|17 |18.
- Low academic achievement or lack of school connectedness: Struggling in school or feeling disconnected from the school community can contribute to risk citation 19|20.
SOME SYMPTOMS OF ADDICTION:
- Feeling that you must use the substance every day
- Having intense urges/cravings for the substance
- Building a tolerance – needing more of the substance to get the same effect over time
- Spending money on the substance, even though you can’t afford it
- Failing to meet your family, social or work responsibilities because of substance use
- Doing things to get the substance that you normally wouldn’t do, such as stealing
- Driving or doing other risky activities when you’re under the influence of a substance
- Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the substance
- Failing in your attempts to stop using the substance
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the substance
Do you provide medication for addiction treatment?
If appropriate, we do provide medication for addiction treatment, but only as part of an integrated treatment plan.

Run for Your Life 2025
CELEBRATE RECOVERY DAY IN NYC! Saturday, September 27, 2025. Please join Odyssey House in commemorating the 20th Anniversary of our Run for Your Life 5K Run and Recovery Walk! Enjoy the natural splendor of Randall's Island Park on a 5K course featuring urban gardens...