Where do Addictions Come From (and How to Keep One Addiction from “Turning Into” Another)

jaseneberzlcsw
Sep 29, 2025
3 min read

Addiction doesn’t come out of nowhere—it has roots. Learn the science behind why people develop addictions and how to prevent swapping one struggle for another.

At Twisted Minds VB, we don’t believe in shame-based explanations for addiction. Addiction isn’t about being weak—it’s about how your brain, your body, and your life experiences all interact. When you can see the roots of the struggle, you can actually do something about it—and protect yourself from swapping one problem for another.

Addiction Is More Than “Just the Substance”

Biology & genetics matter. About 40–60% of risk comes from how your brain and genes respond to substances.
Mental health is huge. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and other challenges can make substances feel like a quick fix—until they backfire.
Self-medication is common. Many people use because it helps numb pain or stress in the moment.

👉 Takeaway: Effective recovery isn’t just about willpower—it’s about treating the whole person.

ACEs: Why Early Life Stress Changes the Game

If you grew up with trauma or chaos, you may already know how much it sticks. Research backs that up. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study found a clear pattern: the higher your ACE score, the higher your risk for addiction and health struggles later on.

But here’s the hope: ACEs predict risk, not destiny. People with high scores absolutely heal and thrive—with the right support.

Quick ACE Self-Check (not a diagnosis!)

Count 1 point for each “Yes” before age 18:

Did a parent or adult in your home often swear at, insult, or humiliate you?
Did you feel unloved or unsupported?
Did you live with someone who had a substance use problem or mental illness?
Did you witness domestic violence?
Were your parents separated or divorced?
Did you experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse?
Did you experience neglect (not enough food, dirty clothes, unsafe home)?
Did a household member go to prison?

Scoring:

0–1: Lower risk (but experiences still matter).
2–3: Moderate risk—protective supports make a big difference.
4+: Higher risk—worth paying extra attention to coping skills, healthy supports, and professional help.

(Adapted from CDC & Felitti et al., 1998)

Preventing “Addiction Transfer”

Sometimes people worry: If I quit one addiction, won’t I just pick up another? The truth: it’s not inevitable. While some situations (like bariatric surgery) raise specific risks, most people actually reduce their chances of a new addiction once they’re in recovery.

How to Lower Your Risk:

Treat the root cause (trauma, anxiety, ADHD, chronic pain).
Build a healthy “reward menu” (exercise, music, art, nature, connection).
Watch for “cousins” like gambling, compulsive shopping, or online behaviors.
Use accountability and tracking (journals, apps, or therapy) to spot shifts early.
Lean on recovery capital—safe housing, healthy community, meaningful work.

Twisted Minds VB Takeaway

Your history matters, but it doesn’t control your future. The same brain that was wired for survival under stress can be rewired for healing, growth, and connection. That’s the heart of recovery: not just stopping a substance, but building a life where you don’t need one.

✨ Call-to-Action (Twisted Minds VB Style)

If your ACE score is high, if you’ve swapped one struggle for another, or if you’re just tired of fighting this fight alone—Twisted Minds VB is here to help.We provide integrated, trauma-informed therapy to get at the why behind addiction and build the supports that make recovery last.

📞 Call us today or visit TwistedMindsVB.org to set up a free consultation.Let’s start untangling the roots—together.

References (APA Style)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces
Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., ... & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245–258.
Khantzian, E. J. (1997). The self-medication hypothesis of substance use disorders: A reconsideration and recent applications. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 4(5), 231–244.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Genetics and epigenetics of addiction. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders evidence-based practices (EBP) KIT. Rockville, MD: Author.
Verdejo-García, A., & Bechara, A. (2009). A somatic marker theory of addiction. Neuropharmacology, 56(1), 48–62.
Wiederman, M. W., & Pryor, T. L. (2021). Addiction substitution: A systematic review. Journal of Substance Use, 26(3), 232–240.