There are several risk factors that can increase the likelihood of future alcohol and drug use, as well as dependency, in adulthood. However, one of the most significant risk factors is early onset of use.
Research has shown that individuals who start using alcohol or drugs at a younger age are more likely to develop a substance use disorder in the future. This is because early substance use can have a lasting impact on brain development, making individuals more susceptible to addiction later in life.
Other risk factors that can increase the likelihood of future substance use and dependency include genetic factors, family history of substance use disorders, mental health disorders, environmental factors (such as peer pressure and availability of drugs), and traumatic life events.