The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a prolonged disease of the brain, which involves changes to the reward centers, leading to alterations in behaviors, drive, retention, and cognition. Medical researchers believe that a combination of genetics, environment, and family history all contribute to an individual’s risk of substance abuse throughout life. These factors may show up in an individual’s personality in specific ways, indicating a heightened risk for addiction to a drug or alcohol.