I never thought about the causes of drug addiction, I just knew my drug addiction was a problem. When I entered treatment the therapist told me that learning the causes of drug addiction was as important as stopping my drug use. I didn’t understand that but I accepted it because my life was a mess. The therapist started me talking about my childhood and some of the painful memories that he attributed to causes of my drug addiction. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, I was told, was an environment that contributed to the causes of drug addiction.

When I was growing up I never considered my family to be different it was all I knew. It has been explained to me that my learned behavior was a prime cause of drug addiction. My childhood experiences led to some behaviors that were problematic in society. Using drugs became a way to cope with feeling different and just became a way of life.

After leaving treatment I became involved with Narcotics Anonymous and starting working the steps. My knowledge of the causes of drug addiction really helped when it was time to write a personal inventory. As I meet newcomers in recovery I pass on to them the importance of understanding the causes of drug addiction.