Addiction

We use the word ‘addiction’ so casually these days. I’m addicted to coffee, I’m addicted to TikTok, or I can’t stop listening to this song on repeat. In a way, those statements aren’t wrong. Addiction, at its core, is the brain grabbing hold of something that makes it feel good and urging us to do it again. But, do it often enough, and the habit can start to tighten its grip.

Neurologically, it plays out a bit like this:

While all addictions basically follow the same sort of cycle, different substances and behaviours have the potential to impact every part of a person’s life.

When people picture addiction, the mind usually jumps to the heavy hitters: alcohol, drugs, maybe gambling or porn. These are the addictions with a reputation, known for how quickly they can strip life bare and demand more than anyone can give. Below, we break them down into key categories.

If you asked most people why someone develops an addiction, the quick answers would be words like self-inflicted or lack of control. Those ideas have been floating around for decades, but they don’t really explain anything. Addiction isn’t solely focused on what some would perceive as “weakness”; rather, it’s a mix of forces that come together in different ways for different people.

Research over the years has dug into why some are pulled into addiction while others, even in the same environment, are not. There’s no single answer and no neat formula. What we can do, though, is look at the evidence and see the patterns that keep showing up.

Mental health difficulties

In many cases, addiction has been shown to correlate with certain mental health issues. The real question is which comes first. Did the mental health issue lead to the addiction, or did the addiction cause the mental health issue? It’s the chicken and the egg paradox, and the answer is rarely simple. What we do know is that the two often sit side by side, so looking at the research helps us understand how deep the connection really goes.

Personality traits

Psychologists often talk about the “big five” personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Studies have shown that these traits can play a part in how likely you are to develop, or stick with, an addiction. These traits don’t cause addiction by themselves, but they can tip the scales if put in a position to.

• People who score high in neuroticism and lower in conscientiousness or agreeableness are more likely to drink heavily or struggle to cut down.
• People who are more dutiful, thoughtful in their decisions, and open in how they deal with others tend to show lower rates of alcohol misuse. These traits act as a kind of buffer, making it easier to avoid slipping into harmful patterns.
• Struggling to wait for long-term rewards is strongly tied to addiction severity. Studies show that choosing a “smaller reward now” over a “bigger reward later” is common across alcohol, drugs, and gambling, with the effect even stronger in people already battling an addiction.

Environmental exposure

Growing up in a home or community where substances are common makes it far more likely that a person will experiment, and once exposure begins, the risk of addiction rises. Stress, trauma, or even just the availability of substances in your neighbourhood all add weight to the equation.

• More than half of people in addiction treatment report experiencing four or more adverse childhood experiences.
• Studies show that just having one adverse experience in childhood makes someone around four times more likely to develop an addiction later in life.
• In England, areas with the most alcohol outlets see far higher alcohol-related hospital admissions than areas with fewer outlets.
• For young people, peer groups are especially powerful: when fewer friends use substances, long-term abstinence rates are far higher; when many do, the odds of staying sober drop sharply.

Genetics

Genetics and the link to addiction is a complex, sometimes controversial, subject. Some argue genes are central, others believe the environment carries far more weight. The truth is probably somewhere in between. Genetics might load the dice, but it’s your experiences that decide how many times those dice get rolled.

• Alcohol use disorder is around 50% heritable in large twin and adoption studies.
• Research also shows that the same genes often increase risk across different substances, not just one, which helps explain why people often struggle with more than a single addiction at a time.

At UKAT, we know that addiction is treatable, and our centres across the UK are dedicated to proving that every day. We approach recovery by caring for both the body and the mind. For those struggling with substances, a medically managed detox is often the first step, creating the space for deeper therapeutic work to begin.

From there, our residential programmes combine evidence-based therapies with holistic support, helping you to address not just the addiction but also the underlying factors that fuel it. Each one of our centres provides a safe environment where you can fully focus on healing.

Importantly, recovery doesn’t end the moment you leave treatment. That’s why aftercare is built into what we do, ensuring you’re supported long after your stay. You’re not shown the back door and wished well; instead, you leave with guidance, connections, and a network to help you sustain long-term sobriety.

The message is clear: addiction is treatable. It isn’t easy, and it isn’t instant, but with the right help and the right environment, people rebuild their lives every single day.