Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
European Archives of Social Sciences, cilt.3, sa.1, ss.1-6, 2026 (Hakemli Dergi)
Abstract:
The phenomenon of addiction has manifested in different forms throughout history, producing serious consequences at the individual, familial, and societal levels. In contemporary societies, addiction is not only a problem that diminishes an individual’s quality of life but also a multidimensional threat that generates destructive effects in social, economic, cultural, and political domains. By altering its content and form throughout the historical process, this phenomenon has shown continuity, creating new fields of struggle in every period; therefore, traditional methods have often remained insufficient. Despite prevention and intervention efforts carried out at international and national levels, the prevalence and diversity of addiction have not decreased; on the contrary, the ease of access to substances and addictive behaviors has persisted. This study aims to examine the biological, psychological, social, and environmental risk factors that contribute to the maintenance of the addiction cycle, based on the literature; analyze the impacts of these factors at both the individual and societal levels; and present a holistic framework for preventive and intervention strategies. The research was designed as a qualitative review study; national and international peer-reviewed articles, books, reports, and official statistics published mostly between 2015 and 2024 were evaluated through thematic content analysis. Findings obtained from the literature indicate that four main risk factors (biological, psychological, social, and environmental) are decisive in breaking the cycle of addiction. In addition, studies conducted specifically in Turkey reveal that substance use among young people shows an increasing trend, while protective factors (family ties, education, social activities) remain insufficient. Accordingly, this study suggests disseminating early intervention mechanisms, strengthening family-based approaches, enhancing access to psychosocial support services, and developing policies and legal regulations. In conclusion, the findings of this study are expected not only to make a theoretical contribution to the academic literature but also to guide social policy development processes and to provide a framework for implementing institutions.
Keywords: Addiction, Addiction Cycle, Risk Factors.