What Causes Addiction?

Responses to this question are as varied as the backgrounds of the responders.

Old-timers in AA are likely to dismiss this issue with the comment that “alcohol causes alcoholism.”

But there are less humorous answers.

Scientists often get lost trying to distinct between cause and correlation, and other specialists get caught in the jungle of symptoms.

While it is well established that addictions tend to run in families, research is almost equally divided on the significance of genetic or environmental factors.

From my own experience with my own addictions, and sponsorship of more than 2,000 others, I have concluded that the fundamental cause of addiction is cultural.

Our culture, expressed in family, neighborhoods, and advertising tells us we should always “feel good.”

If our mood (general feeling) gets too far from normal, we should take (swallow, inhale, inject, absorb) some substance for our body.

Or we might try an exciting or risky behavior for the same mood-altering effect.

If our trial works, we may repeat it in even larger doses and increasing frequency, especially as we adjust to it. And this can easily lead to an “overdose” and death.

Of the many addicts I have known and sponsored, I have never met even one who made a conscious decision to become an addict. Have you?