An opioid addiction is a serious and dangerous disorder for any person to live with. One of the most effective ways to address this issue often begins by searching “opioid rehab near me” on Google. However, understanding opioids, addressing an opioid addiction, and learning how it impacts familial relationships is more complicated than a simple Internet search. For many, research into opioid addiction often boils down to one question: “if my mother is an opioid addict, will I become one later in life?” 

Sadly, there is no simple answer to this question. However, there are several factors one can familiarize themselves with in order to understand their likelihood and risk for opioid addiction.     

What are Opioids?

Opioids are a type of drug made from opium. This key ingredient was once found naturally in certain varieties of poppy plant, but it can now be made synthetically in labs as well. As a drug, opioids are depressants, meaning that they cause functions in the brain and body to slow down. There are several kinds of opioids, ranging from heroin to prescription opioids like fentanyl, codeine, and oxycodone.  

What is an Opioid Addict? 

An opioid addict is any individual who is unable to stop or exercise control over their consumption of one or more types of opioids. 

Why are Opioids so Addictive?

Nearly every kind of opioid is addictive. This largely because of the effect repeated opioid use has on the brain. Unfortunately, consuming opioids repeatedly over prolonged periods of time can damage the brain’s reward system. In doing so, the individual has become rewired for addictive behavior, which makes them more likely to engage in unhealthy, immediate pleasures rather than time consuming endeavors. 

Another reason opioids are so addictive is because they almost always provide a user with immense pain relief. The synthetic or natural opium found in opioids will block the signals sent between the brain and body that cause a person to feel pain. For many, this relief from chronic pains and conditions is enough to put them on a path toward an opioid addiction. 

Will I Become an Opioid Addict if My Mother is One? 

Determining whether a person is more likely to become an opioid addict is not easy. In many ways the simple answer to this question is both yes and no. 

Opioid Addiction and Genetics

Many believe that addictions can be hereditary. In some ways, this is true, but it is not a guarantee. According to research in the United States’ National Library of Medicine, individuals who have members of their family, such as a mother, who are addicted to opioids puts them at a higher risk of addiction. While genetic factors can play a role in this, an individual’s risk for opioid addiction is not solely due to genetics.   

Opioid Addiction and Environmental Factors

A factor that can often play a bigger role on whether or not a person is more at risk of developing an opioid addiction is their environment and lifestyle. If a person lives, works, or enjoys an environment where drug abuse, especially opioid abuse, is accepted or normalized, they are more at risk for opioid addiction. This factor can still be caused by an individual’s mother. If a mother is an opioid addict and normalizes opioid abuse in their household, it can make a person likely to develop an opioid addiction later in life.    

Key Takeaways Concerning Opioid Addiction and Risk Factors

Having a mother who is an opioid addict can be concerning; it can also make a person more likely to develop an opioid addiction later in life. However, it is not a guarantee that one will become an opioid addict. There are a variety of factors at play in determining how likely a person is to become an opioid addict, including gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and more. 

Searching for “Opioid Rehab Near Me”?

If you or a loved one are living with an opioid addiction and searching online for an “opioid rehab near me”, our team can help! At Knoxville Recovery Center, our addiction specialists offer numerous treatments and therapies to help those living with an opioid addiction become sober and stay sober. Contact us today to learn more!