10 Factors Contributing to Addiction

When confronted with the question 'what are your views on the cause of addiction?' I feel like I am being asked to give a theory on everything in 30 words or less. In other words, the question is asking about a complex and dynamic process that occurs to a complex and dynamic being.

Here is a short list of some potential contributing factors involved in what we call 'addiction' and that I feel are worthy of attention.

It is the 'human condition': because human beings come with 'desire systems' those systems can and do go awry. Addictions happen because they can.
The avoidance of suffering: because we don't like to feel pain we use drugs/alcohol to avoid feeling.
The seeking of pleasure: human beings like pleasure so we often seek it in harmful ways.
Immaturity: we have never learned to stand on our own two feet and experience whatever life deals us without avoidance or efforts at escape.
Genetics: some people are genetically and biologically predisposed to become addicted.
A 'misplaced longing': human beings have a built-in longing for 'wholeness' and misinterpret the feeling of the rush/stone/inebriation as a feeling of fulfillment or wholeness in the 'spiritual' sense. Another term is 'substitute gratification' and another example is feeling empty so filling up with food rather than meaningful relationship.
A lack of values: we have not developed a love, interest or value set that goes beyond our own immediate gratification.
A lack of vision: we are unable to envision a life or identity without drugs/alcohol.
Destiny: addiction was in our destiny in the sense that we encountered unbidden factors both inside and out that lead to our addiction.
Mis-Identification: our essential identity as the source of Awakened Attention has become lost in the experiences that accompany an addiction (i.e. craving/sensations/thought/fantasy/memory)

Are there more? Undoubtedly, but this list represents what I feel are factors that demand attention, and if they are overlooked it is at the detriment of looker.

As for my approach to addiction, a short answer is it would involve looking at all these potential contributing factors with a thorough 'Lifestyle Assessment', determining what areas need attention, and then developing a dynamic multi-dimensional or 'Integral' approach to recovery (see article 'Integral Practice'). This approach would be supported with a vision towards a larger goal of freedom and self actualization. This is the same approach I use in all explorations of personal, interpersonal and transpersonal healing and development.

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Aaron McNaught, aka "The Wake Up Guy", is the author of five books, a Life Coach and Transformational Speaker who practically owns the term. (Google "Transformational Speaker" in quotes and see for yourself). Aaron is known for his demonstration of awakeness and has commited his life to bringing light into the world.

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