1. Gain Pleasure 2. Avoid Pain. Now while this is true, this is an over simplification of the human condition. There are many strings woven to complete the web that sums each of us up as individual personalities point to a specific gene and claim that there is a genetic predisposition to addiction and certain behaviors. This explanation leaves a huge hole in the equations when the gene is present and addiction or behaviors do not occur either defined as primarily or generational. A very common occurrence.

The gap narrows when certain patterns of family behaviors are detected. These behaviors are passed from one generation to the next unless something occurs to interrupt that transmission. This interruption is generally defined as education specific and, or recovery. This is a break with traditional family behavior patterns a nutshell, everyone does what they are taught as infants forward to and through adulthood. Even in complete rebellion against the family model of behavior a person can only function to the extent of their own personal knowledge. If that knowledge lacks the quality of certain insights, family abuse patterns of behavior will be passed from generation to generation. How could it be otherwise?

As we grow from infants to adults our environment is the key to our mental development. All offspring in the human and animal kingdom learn from mimicking parental behaviors. Eaglets learn to hunt. Fawns learn to forage. Squirrels learn to gather. Wolves learn the pecking order of their pack and humans learn family rules and patterns of behavior. This brings to mind the saying; The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. It is as it is.

When parents lack skills in problem solving, communications, if one or both argues or frustrates easily or prone to fits of anger being mentally or verbally or even sexually abusive an imprint occurs within the child. The more exposure to these patterns of behavior that occur in the child's presence, the deeper the imprint on the child's mental development.

For instance, if your parent abused alcohol you may in turn abuse;people, food, credit, drugs, sex, work, or be a shoplifter, be a pedophile, rape, criminal behavior or engage in risky behaviors or any number of emotionally self-defeating behaviors such as domestic violence and even murder or arson. Some of the most prolific serial killers were raised by alcoholics and themselves became alcoholics.

Of all of the behaviors above any one of those examples can and often does trigger active addiction. In other words, the workaholic has the same effect emotionally as the alcoholic on the child. It can be termed as emotional deprivation. Being deprived of quality emotional support which is key to emotional development. That is why we hear people say; "He or she didn't get that from me, I never drank.".

The substance of abuse needs to be eliminated completely before therapy will be effective. This being the initial step toward recovery and the prevention of more personal losses. Through deep therapy the reason for abuse may be discovered and defined so it can be dealt with and this will undermine the total structure of the addiction. As the underlying need is discovered and understanding begins to occur, the triggers for the substance or need will abate.

But in all cases of addiction, the addict must initiate the steps for recovery voluntarily and with conviction and purpose. There isn't a Doctor or Counselor on earth that can cause recovery to occur. Doctors, Psychiatrists, Counselors and Clergymen are the guides that lead the afflicted through the field of obstacles that each person will face in recovery. These people speed the process with their specific knowledge. The effort lies with the addicted. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink!

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