by teknimage on January 10th, 2007
There are many different reasons for addiction, and individuals will often develop an addiction through a confluence of these reasons.
There is evidence at the genetic/heredity level that seems to indicate predisposition. This means that certain genetic traits are shared among people who have addictions that do not appear in other segments of the population. These traits may allow for certain aspects of a person's physiology to be more prone to developing dependence. This can be seen in certain variations in how different individuals process or produce neurochemicals in their brain. This also has to do with how receptor sites on brain cells operate.
Environmental factors also play a role. A person's level of self-awareness and feelings of self-worth would necessarily play their part. Situations which may arise early on in a person's life may create a distinct lack of value that one may normally develop for themselves. This can open the door for the need to supplant actual feelings of self-love and satisfaction with what ephemeral and external sources can provide.
Addictions come in many forms, from chemical substances which elicit physiological and psychological effects such as euphoria or detachment, to actions such as sex or shopping or gambling. While they all are unique and have numerous, complex beginnings, they all pretty much boil down to an individual seeking to create within themselves an environment of happiness and contentment that they feel they lack, especially when seen in comparisons to others around them.
by theallknowing on January 19th, 2007
Some people have addictive personalities. When my brother started using meth he got addicted because of his personality and because he thought he couldnt function well without it. All people are dfferent.
by Berenise on January 17th, 2007
SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST WEAKER THEN OTHERS!!! SIMPLE AND SHORT AS THAT
by jenniferx on January 19th, 2007
i think it may be genetics. some people believe you can be born with a gene that can result in addiction.
by downdog on January 10th, 2007
Education in the nature of addiction. Think about it, alcohol, nicotine, THC, etc. etc. are all chemicals. The simple of is, "What are you made of"?
Your personal will power has nothing to do with it after prolonged exposure. The human body can and does become dependent on the chemical interaction of any drug.
In a since you become addicted even to antibiotics. After exposure weaker antibodies no longer are effective. Thus a stronger strain is requireed. Now it's much more complex then that but this is the simple answer.
Don't let anyone tell you it is will power or that you are a weak person.
by Rinky Dinky Do on January 1st, 2009
Some people just have an addictive personality, they're weak and can't deal with reality that well so they resort to a crutch to get them thru the day
by allergy on January 1st, 2009
Has anyone ever wondered why we can get addicted?
Not just to drugs, but to anything?
Most people generally agree there is some chemical reaction in the brain that causes the need.
I think a better answer may exist in our evolution.
Our sexual drive!!!
It was there way before we had drugs, or social problems, or any kind of problems
When we were barely monkeys, there was nothing to do but sit around all day and eat and breed. Even before we were monkeys, what do you think we did?
Perhaps addiction is evolutions way of keeping a species alive!!!!
If making love didn't feel so good, none of us would do it. How many of you would rather be making love to a perfect human specimen (or your loved one) than be reading this??? Does this mean you’re addicted? In some way, Yes! What I’m trying to say is that the whole human race has an addiction to sex.
Evolution designed a way for us to all have some level of addiction to sex, to continue the species.
Unfortunately with our intelligence has brought new problems, hence new addictions, but all with a similar chemical reaction as having sex. Think of our addiction to sex as being at the top of a pyramid, the main addiction, with all the other addictions branching out below it.
We have trained ourselves for addictions ... for millions of years.
More questions:
How come it feels so good to eat a big healthy meal?
How come you feel so good after a good session of exercise?
Mother Nature rewards you for doing what’s right.
Cheers,
James Thompson
www.jimmytee.net
by cleo2222 on December 8th, 2008
As an addict sitting here reading this, I am shocked by some of these responses. It is definitely NOT lack of willpower. Its a disease. There are many variables. Yes genetic predisposition plays into it, also your past/childhood trauma, current happiness in life as well as many other things. If it was as easy as walking away, the world would not have as many addicts as we do.
It doesnt matter what the addiction is..it's all the same.And its hard to overcome.
by Universe Of Life on January 17th, 2007
Stronger minds seperate those that do and dont
will power
less likely to weaken from peer preassure
by downdog on January 10th, 2007
If your question provokes thought then it is a great question.
Any unbalanced chemical reaction is unstable. One may only need small quanities while others may need quit a bit more, maybe never even to reach their limit.
If a true answer existed then maybe addiction of any type could be eliminated. The so call magic pill and all would be fine. But until then, mind , body, and soul need healing.
by Anonymous on January 10th, 2007
Will power is the only true answer..It has been said through the science community that it is entirly plausable that addiction is hereditary. And passed down.. Addiction is really no more then self control. Most atticts use drugs to replace whats missing in there lifes. I know my statement doesnt really give an answer. But logically the answer is will power... And if science is 100% maybe people are jus born pre-conceived as a future attict... Good question...
by Valparaiso on January 10th, 2007
Some people have self control and some people don't.
by philip8 on January 17th, 2009
The answer is invariant reinforcement.
Some of the proceeding answers correctly point out to genetic (chemical/hormonal inbalances) or environmental (cultural, familial) predispositions to addiction. But the mechanism that causes people to be addicted is sporadic intervals of pleasure and pain. The key word is sporadic, as that set up the person for expectancy that overrides intentionality.
The model is as follows:
Interval #1: pain-pain-pain-pleasure-pain-pleasure-pain-pain-pain-pain-pleasure
Interval #2: pleasure-pain-pain-pain-pain-pleasure-pleasure-pain-pleasure-pleasure-pleasure-pleasure-pleasure-pain
Now, apply that to real life situation, for example, spousal abuse. The same would be true with any kind of addiction.
Day #1: abuse-abuse-abuse-gift-abuse-abuse-love-abuse
Day #2: love-love-love-abuse-abuse-abuse-gift-love-abuse
This is an extremely hard cycle to break out of. There are only two approaches that really work: #1. Don't enter the cycle in the first place-- don't marry the abuser, take that first drink, etc. as the first taste will always be pleasure; or #2. Stop cold turkey. Divorce the brute, throughout the drinks, etc. I cannot think of any other way.
by mr.know.it.all on February 10th, 2007
some people have highly addictive personalitys along with low self esteem.if your weak minded or lacking something inside your bound to be addicted to something.addiction is really a destructive cry for help
by littl_foggy on January 19th, 2007
everyone has an addictive personality it's just a choice of what you allow yourself to give into.
by Anonymous on January 1st, 2009
many people are born with a depletion of certain brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. those who become addicted are really searching for ways to improve these brain chemicals. that is why just talking about getting sober doesnt work.. you need to replace the appropriate amounts of brain chemicals. once that happens you are less likely to have any cravings. check out this site
www.noraa.org it talks more about it.
by tulips4you2 on January 8th, 2010
ADDICTS ARE WEAK....SELFISH INDIVIDUALS....THEY DON'T CARE WHO THEY HURT, ROB,BEAT-UP, ... WHATEVER IT IS THEY'RE THEIR ALL DOPED UP DOING...WHILE THEIR CHILDREN SUFFER FATHERLESS... MOTHERLESS...WITH FEELINGS OF WORTHLESSNESS AND GUILT, DESPERATE FOR SOME SELFISH ADDICTS LOVE. PERSONALITY? CHEMICAL? COME ON PEOPLE ITS PURE DOWN RIGHT EVIL AND SELFISHNESS RUNNING THE ADDICTS SOUL.....THEY ARE LIKE THAT BECAUSE THEY CHOOSE TO BE THAT WAY!! AND TO "PATS AN ADDICT" UUUMMMM YOUR A CLASSIC EXAMPLE...HEY...MAYBE KILLERS AND RAPISTS.. SHOULD BLAME THEIR PARENTS...FOR THE WAY THEY ARE??? THEN IT WILL OK FOR THEM TO DO IT!! MEETINGS DON'T CHANGE YOU DUH...YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN CHANGE...SO...KEEP SITTING THEIR BLAMING SOMEONE ELSE FOR YOUR PROBLEMS...YOU ARE THE CLASSIC ADDICT...WORTHLESS!!!
by pats an addict on November 14th, 2009
I am an addict, an addict of gambling, drinking....oh hell lets face it I'm basically addicted to chaos! I grew up with an alcoholic father and co-dependent mom. I've inherited both, should I say, qualities? At any rate, it is cunning, baffling and so powerful. Can't seem to find it in me to get my ass to any meetings! Shame & fear have so much to do with my isolation. Just needed to get that out and maybe try to understand and accept who I am and hopefully change!
by tfay765 on January 17th, 2009
There are several factors that effect vulnerability to addiction. These factors include environmental and genetic influences.
Here is an article about the genetic factors associated with vulnerability to drug addiction that I found kind of interesting:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B82Y2-4K940PS-3&_user=74021&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000005878&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=74021&md5=dce19c7892567a320255a0c565876c3a
by Thriftymaid on November 14th, 2009
Some of it is personality, some of it is chemical.
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