why is it that some people can't overcome addictions, and others can?? Is it chemical or heretity??

Answer 1

Actually addictions can have a heredity component...it also has a physiologic component...just like how some people have schizophrenia, or personality disorders...some people have a harder time breaking addictions. Addictions are "based" in the limbic system of the brain, while our logic center is found in our frontal cortex...these areas are "neural miles" away...not close to each other at all. Some people have more communication problems between these two areas...it could be a problems with neurotransmitters or the neurons "connecting" the two themselves...it's different for different people The brain is a VERY complex thing and everyone's is VERY different from each other To lump addicts in a category as "weak" as some are doing in their answers is like telling a type 1 diabetic to use their "strong will" to make their pancreas produce more insulin...it just doesn't work like that.

Answer 2

First Lady Nancy Reagan said it best, and got severely criticized for doing so by all the whimps who didn't want to accept the responsibility of controlling themselves: "Just say NO!". I've been a mental health professional, now retired, for 20+ years, and specialized in chemical addictions and other addictions, and read and listened to all the excuses as to why it wasn't a matter of will power, and that some people just couldn't control themselves with regard to addictions, and then I began "reading the fine print" in the treatment contracts from all these extremely expensive treatment facilities/hospitals who made all these wild promises with all their new and catchy treatment programs, and you know what the fine print said? It said, "Ultimately, it's up to the patient/client to get over their addiction." And I was shocked. Here they were publishing books and treatment brochures for their very expensive programs that they unquestionably assured the prospective patient would "cure" them, and then, in the fine print, beyond all the endless verbage that their prospective clients couldn't read anyway, they said, "It's up to you to defeat your addiction!" I've never been so insulted by such a "cop-out" by any treatment idea than the nonsense that the treatment facilities were spewing out to the American public, and I had put my professional trust in them. And then it hit me. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan had been right all the time, and all the liberal whimps who didn't want to exercise any self control had yelled at her, ridiculed her in print and in public speeches, and in "educational" programs, and then I find that the very institutions and programs that they promoted, the ungodly expensive bullshit "treatment" programs that they promoted, stated in no uncertain terms, that they couldn't do anything about one's addiction, but that it was up to the individual to exercise self control in all the areas of their lives that impact whatever addiction they were up to. So, it's not a matter of whether someone can or can't overcome addictions. It's a matter of will they put out the effort to do so. Not many do, but it can very definitely be done. God Bless you.

Answer 3

It's all the chemicals in the products we use. Stay away from the doctors, they only treat the symptoms & keep you addicted, they are fodder for the pharmeceutical industry.

Examples of students sites that are Certified Holistic Health Counselers:

http://www.jenawellness.com

http://www.synthesisholistic.com/

http://www.myheartdances.com

http://www.innergrain.com

http://www.livingwholehealth.com

http://www.nourishingwisdom.com

http://www.nurturespath.com

Hope this helps as I could never figure out why they would treat a nicotine addiction with more nicotine! Or drug treatment with more drugs! It's all about the money. It is removal of yourself from the situation, more likely conditional response turned habit, like what were once vises are now habits. I doubt it is hereditary, but possibly chemical. Same thing with food.

Answer 4

actually it's both...

They have isolated chemical that affects the pleasure parts of the brain. They are called tetrahydrosoquinolines, or THIQ's for short. The discovery was made that especially with alcoholics, but is has been proven with other drugs as well, that the more of this substance you have in your brain, 1.) the easier it is to become addicted to drugs, alcohol and 2.) the harder it is to quit said addictions.

Now the reason I say this is hereditary is because these THIQ's can actually be passed on to your offspring.

Answer 5

Addicts have to "hit bottom",( that is, to reach a point where they just can't deal with the addiction any more and are willing to do anything and everything to get better) before they can start to recover.
Most addicts die before this happens, or they wind up in jail or a rubber room. There are no other alternatives.
About one in six will seek help. Of those who seek help, about one in six will actually take it.
HELLO!!! DESPITE WHAT UNINFORMED PEOPLE MAY THINK, ADDICTION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WEAKNESS AND RECOVERY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WILL POWER.
Addicts are the strongest people on earth. Weak people die quickly from drugs and booze. How do you think so many addicts manage to live so long?
Recovery means a total change in life style.

Answer 6

to overcome addiction is determination, will power and surrendering. i have a brother and sister-addicted to shabu. they started being an addict at the age of 16 yrs old. the drugs introduced to them by friends. through the advice and sympathy with love and care, by our family first they misunderstood us, but in later part they realized, if they continue doin taking drugs, their life will be mesirable. Through determination...not to take drugs (it took years for them to withdraw from drugs) and will power..now they're free from addictions. They kept busy in sports and religeous matter. Chemical- as long as the residue of the chemical is in our body tissue, its really very hard to drive away the addictions...cleansing diet and exercise, and most important is advice from professionals...like doctors and counseling, and understanding from the family circle. I dont think its heredity.

Answer 7

I personally believe its up to the person to be strong enough to do so. If they are weak most likely they wont get over there addiction. And I think they also need help from others such as family and friends.

Answer 8

My personal believe is that your genetic make up determines whether or not you have an addictive personality, BUT, personal strength and education actually are what make you YOU. If YOU don't want to be an addict, even if your entire family is, you won't be. You have to know what you want and know what you don't want to be.

It is a very difficult decision. No one should be to blame, but the user knows what they are doing.

Answer 9

It is most certainly not heredity! Addiction is a difficult thing to break; I would say that the most imperative key in obtaining pure life once more is pure DEDICATION and COMMITMENT.

Answer 10

Some people just have a larger measure of "life", or a "stronger constitution".