|
Who becomes an addict?
The question of ‘who becomes an addict’ is one that crops up very often, and one which is very difficult to answer. For example, is the likelihood of a person becoming an addict genetically pre-determined? Does an individual’s personality type play a part in the process? What about family life and other environmental factors? Does it come down to intelligence? Is social class relevant? How about religious beliefs? Isn’t it simply a case of will power – knowing when to stop?
The following three 'cameo' examples are not made up. They are, for the purpose of this illustration, brief. However, from the limited information given, see if you can work out who is more likely to become an addict, and the drug of choice.
Person ‘A’
Out of nappies and walking before the age of one. As a child, this person was very active and enjoyed outside activities such as playing football with friends, exploring the local area, climbing trees etc. Person ‘A’ had many hobbies and interests including collecting coins, stamps, bird’s eggs and football rosettes. Interests included electronics, archaeology and music. However, this person did not appear to be academically inclined, leaving school at 15 to start work at a 5 star hotel as a comis (trainee) waiter. Later pursuing a career as an HGV driver acquiring a class 1 licence.
On the romance front, this person married after an 18 month engagement at the age of 22.
This person’s philosophy of life included the belief that everyone had a ‘fair crack of the whip’, and that it was possible to achieve whatever one wanted to achieve.
Person ‘B’
This person was the youngest of 3 children born to an ex Royal Navy father and a mother who was addicted to prescription drugs as a result of treatment for an ongoing depression/anxiety disorder.
Person ‘B’’s childhood was disrupted by frequent parental separations during which this child would leave the family home along with mum to stay with grandparents in the country.
Schooling was affected by these spur-of-the-moment moves resulting in poor attendance records.
This child found it very difficult to concentrate whilst in school and only managed to attain ‘C’ grades throughout secondary education.
By the age of 18, Person ‘B’ had notched up 17 different jobs, not being able to stick at any of them for various reasons.
By the age of 30, this person was married with two children and running a clothing retail business.
Person ‘C’
Person ‘C’ was brought up on a council estate in the centre of a city on the south coast of England. With the mother working as a nurse at the local General Hospital, the father was an alcoholic, unable to hold down a job.
As a child, this person was very shy and full of fear. Home life was mainly an unhappy, tension filled experience fuelled by the shouting arguments of the parents. This person felt uncomfortable at school as well as at home.
At the age of 16, Person ‘C’ left home to work on a private motor yacht. However, due to suffering a mental breakdown shortly after setting sail, was forced to resign.
This person subsequently spent 12 years in the RAF followed by 7 years as an antique furniture dealer. Person ‘C’ is divorced and has three wonderful children. This person is happy, and currently in a loving relationship.
Ok, how did you do? It is very difficult to predict an outcome with the limited amount of information available, but there is a point to the exercise.
Answer
 |
