Really understanding and getting to the root of the causes of alcoholism and drug addiction isn’t straightforward – because they are complex illnesses by nature.

Genetic factors and the fact that alcoholism and addiction is hereditary in many cases, certainly does play a role. But that only explains part of the story because ultimately we’re all shaped by our environmental influences – parents, family, peers, experiences, media etc.

Now when looking at the role psychology plays in alcoholism and drug addiction – a large part of our psychological makeup is formed in our early childhood years. Primarily through our parents and family environment.

Generally speaking – if we come from a generally loving, stable and supportive family environment (especially in our early childhood years) – it usually means we grow up with better self confidence and are more comfortable with ourselves and who we are.

Or if when we’re young we, we have a more traumatic childhood – which could mean anything from losing a parent, having one of our parents addicted to drugs or alcohol, our parents divorcing, or anything that really effects us emotionally – it could result in us developing various ways to cope with that, which can then manifest in our lives in all sorts of different ways.

This could mean you find yourself developing a whole bunch of stuff – which could be anything from depression to anger, anxiety, different kinds of eating disorders and naturally various forms of addiction, including drugs and alcohol.

Chances are – speak to an alcoholic or drug addict – that there will be a significant trauma or event that affected them, most likely when they were young. In my case it was having an alcoholic parent and the strain that put on our family.

Naturally it doesn’t always happen that way. You’ll find many cases, I’m sure, of alcoholics and drug addicts that were brought up in a loving, stable and supportive environment. But hopefully when considering alcoholism and psychology and trying to understand the psychology of addiction – everything will make a lot more sense for you.

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For additional info on the causes of drug addiction and alcoholism and the addiction alcoholism hereditary link, be sure to visit C-P’s excellent and informative website

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