Are the pressures of modern society so great that it is forcing people both young and old to take up drugs or is it more to do with peer group pressure that is encouraging the participation in drug abuse, or maybe it can be blamed on genetic makeup??

Today drug addiction has become a critical problem in the world. Age doesn't really differentiate for you to become an addict, but the prevalence of youth amongst addicts is a sad reality. Naturally, a number of theories have been suggested by different researchers, scientists and theorists, however, none have formulated a single conclusion to define the exact causes of drug addiction.

For example some of the explanation for the cause of drug addiction are as follows:

1. Some believe it is genetically predisposed,

2. Others consider it nothing but mental illness.

3. Some oversimplify it by arguing and relating it to the product of unhealthy lifestyle and risky peer interaction during adolescence period.

4. Many people view it as a disease,

5. Others regard it as an inherited illness that makes people tend toward addiction.

Let us explore a few of the most common explanations identified as the causes of drug addiction.

Brain Disease

Brain disease is identified as one of the major causes of drug addiction. It is hypothesized that this specific type of brain disorder develops, having been started as a result of the voluntary use of drugs. These drugs interact with different areas in the brain altering the level of consciousness, mood, perception and emotional states. The prolonged use of drugs can result in permanently altering the function and structure of the brain that can stick with the addict even after the person stops using drugs. According to this view, addiction is a quintessential bio-behavioral disorder.

Genetic Predisposition

This is also a popular hypothesis. Many specialists consider genetic predisposition may play a significant role being one of the major causes of drug addiction. Some researchers also claimed that they have mapped some of the genes responsible for drug abuse. However, science is still working on identifying the exact genes, their location and their possible functions on human behavior in general. It is confirmed that gene and heredity play an important role to make someone vulnerable towards addiction. No doubt a greater understanding will become known soon.

Socio-Philosophical Model

Today, most drug rehabilitation centers function on the belief that social and philosophical factors are the main causes of drug addiction.

It is said that if an addict's belief system can be altered, you have found a way for the addict to be free from his addiction. Although the backers of this hypothesis consider addiction is a disease, this disease is a result of bad personal choices, anti-social behavior or weak character. These ideas are useless till they can be transformed into motivation for people to pull their lives together. However, the deep-rooted problem of addiction needs more holistic treatments that tackle the consciousness', mood, perception and emotional state of the addict.

Thankfully, the methodologies available for treating addicts is proving quite successful in most cases. However, no doubt the research that is being carried out on the causes of drug addiction will one day clarify all of these questions leading to both better forms of treatment and prevention.