At what point does personal responsibility turn into mental incapability?

I think it's silly to think that anything (addiction or otherwise) always stems from the one thing, whether it be genetics, environment, circumstance, or individual choice. My guess is that if you interviewed 100 alcoholics, their answers would suggest at least 100 different factors in their alcoholism. Similarly, I think if you interviewed 100 "recovered" alcoholics, their answers would suggest at least 100 different factors that led to their kicking the habit.

My guess is that for any given person, it is the combination of factors (either an exact combination or simply a quantity of factors that exceeds some kind of "addiction threshold") that leads to either addiction or recovery.

But addressing the question at hand, I think self-determination is certainly an aspect of both "addiction" and recovery. However, just being determined is not necessarily enough to push a person either way. A person can be intellectually determined not to become an addict, yet (for example) may have a genetic predisposition and also lack the emotional strength to resist peer pressure (here again, this lack of strength probably originates from multiple factors). On the other hand, an addict who has the determination and also the means (financial, family/friend support) to get effective treatment is probably more likely to kick the habit than someone who is broke and alone.

So I guess the short answer is "it depends...."

 

I agree with Mr. Clutch. I believe the people are ultimately responsible for their own actions. Some people may have been dealt a tougher hand, but they can overcome it. One of my best friend's brother is an alcoholic, and got out of prison this year after his 5th DWI. He's had his share of fights and the such drunk, as well. But an extended prison stay was his wake-up call, and now he's overcome it. It's brutally tough for him, but he's done it.

 

alcohol is gross.

 

Thank you for your valuable contribution to this thread!

 

While genetics might not be destiny but it might be a pretty strong predisposition. As you note skinny people might not relate because if something comes easy to you you won't understand how difficult it is for somebody else to deal with that.

If you're not predisposed to be an alcoholic or something else its easy to say that its all personal responsibility since you don't feel an innate craving for something like alcohal that an alcoholic might.

 

It's once gain all about perception. Most of you who say its the person's fault have never had someone close to you suffer from something like that. Once it gets to a personal level, your view point changes. You see the whole truth behind the matter and you stop categorizing, or generalizing everyone. Its hard to realize what someone goes through. It really is. I used to be in the same boat as everyone who says, "it's their fault in the first place". However, I've learned that it isn't entirely their fault. Sure, they made the choice, yet you have to look beyond the outer coating. Sometimes its as simple as the person being a victim of circumstance. Sometimes, its even worse. Its hard to understand the sort of traumatic experiences people have dealt with. A lot of the times opening up to the root of the problem can be the toughest thing to do. What I'm getting at is: not all people are bad. A lot of the time you wont ever understand why people do the things they do. Just try and be compassionate and caring, even beyond all that. Especially if its someone close to you...

 

"Alcoholism is a disease. But it is the only disease that you can get yelled at for having." - Mitch Hedberg