analytic essay - task 3

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Western Governors University *

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COMP1

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English

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Jan 9, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by AmbassadorHawkMaster894

The Complex Causes of Addiction in America Ravin S. Tomlinson Western Governors University C455: English Composition I Lisa Wood

The Complex Causes of Addiction in America Addiction has increasingly plagued communities across the United States in recent years. With rates of substance use disorders on the rise, understanding what drives this public health crisis is an important step toward effective solutions. In this essay, I will examine three primary factors contributing to America's addiction problems: exposure to trauma, genetics and mental health issues, and societal pressures. By analyzing how these deeply rooted causes interconnect, we can gain insights that compassionately address the full spectrum of circumstances fueling harmful dependencies. Exposure to trauma, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, is shown to be a major predictor of addiction vulnerability (Anda et al., 2006). As Anda et al. (2006) state, "Adverse childhood experiences are strongly related to the development and prevalence of a wide range of health problems throughout a person’s lifespan." Research finds that four out of five chronic substance abusers also have a trauma history, often dating back to childhood (Briere & Jordan, 2009). Briere and Jordan (2009) explain that trauma essentially "rewires neurobiology in ways priming the traumatic survivor to rely on addictive behaviors for relief later in life." Genetics and underlying mental health conditions further increase addiction risk (Kendler et al., 2003). Kendler et al. (2003) found that "having a close family member with an alcohol or drug use disorder approximately doubles a person’s risk." Moreover, up to 50% of addicts struggle with co- occurring mental illnesses—all of which can motivate self-medication through substance abuse when left untreated (SAMHSA, 2020). The mind and body interactions of genetics and mental illness elevate addiction risks through biological and psychological pathways (SAMHSA, 2020). Societal pressures also play an environmental role in fueling problematic substance dependencies (Kelly et al., 2011). As Kelly et al. (2011) note, "Exposure to peers modeling addictive norms starts impacting impressionable youth from an early age." Lax cultural attitudes shape what's deemed acceptable usage while normalizing addictive behaviors (Kelly et al., 2011). Generational

malaise from economic factors pushes some to cope through high-risk behaviors endorsed in popular culture (CDC, 2019). In conclusion, effectively addressing addiction demands acknowledging its complex, multi- factorial causes embedded at biological, psychological, and societal levels. With a deeper causal understanding, communities can come together to support prevention, intervention, and long-term recovery through an equity lens. By addressing addiction as a public health issue, society takes meaningful steps toward prioritizing human wellness overall.

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