Are some People Destined to Become Alcoholics?

Do some of us have an addictive personality which means that we were destined to become alcoholics or addicts? This is a challenging question and I have read both sides of the argument.

On the one hand, as a recovering alcoholic who has never taken any so called party drugs. I do not doubt that if I started to take them, I would quickly become addicted. I also know I have some addictive traits in my personality which I prefer to consider harmless quirks or eccentricities. Such as having to have two cups of tea from a specific cup before leaving the house in the morning.

In addition, in my line of work (working in an addictions treatment centre) I have come across many people with so called dual or cross addictions and it is easy to consider these people as ‘addictive personalities’. People share in AA meetings that they were destined to become alcoholics from when they had their first drink at the age of x, because it made them feel different and seemed to take away all their problems and fears.

Alcohol is a Drug

In contrast, though, it can be argued that alcohol is a drug (this is indisputable) and if it was socially unacceptable. In the same way as many of us would judge users of heroin to be on a road leading to certain addiction and desperation. Looking at in that light, the only difference between alcoholics and so called social drinkers is where they are on their path. Using this explanation, the problem lies not so much with the drinkers but with the drug.

As is often the case, the probability is that the truth is somewhere between the two. Alcohol is a drug – fact. It has the properties therefore of being addictive – fact. If taken in sufficient quantities and or with sufficient regularity, it will become an addiction. However, it takes the individual interacting with the drug to become an alcoholic / addict.

Habitual Patterns

Some people get to be alcoholic over a long period of time as they develop habitual patterns of drinking. It then begins to control our lives. Eventually the level of control exerted becomes destructive. The negative effects totally outweigh the positive ones and our lives become unmanageable. Our drinking affects not only ourselves, making us depressed, miserable and desperate but has an equally bad impact on the people we love who cannot understand our self-destructive behaviour. Nor can we – but nor can we stop it.

In summary, my belief is that alcohol has the power to make anyone addicted – but it is the interaction of the human being with it that determines whether or not we get into trouble with it.

The Haynes Clinic offers residential treatment for dependency on alcohol, drugs and prescription medication. We can also help with other addictions such as gambling and with eating disorders.

If you have an alcohol or drug related problem. Please call The Haynes Clinic on 01462 851414 for free and confidential advice and help.