Why some people get hooked and others don't: genetics, childhood and brain circuits explain addiction

"Scientific evidence has long demonstrated that addiction—with or without substances—is not a matter of willpower, much less a vice, but rather a mental disorder, like depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. However, the idea that when a person is addicted to a substance, it is by their own free will, remains prevalent. If they don't quit, it's because they don't want to, is a common refrain."

"The guilt associated with a lack of willpower in the case of addictions arises because most people think that addiction is a freely chosen risk, at least initially, while mental disorders like depression just happen to you. So, if you started using of your own volition, you must stop that addiction of your own volition, which is impossible without the necessary help."

"That some people are more susceptible to addiction than others is evident in clinical practice. Some people use drugs once, then again, and again without becoming addicted, while others can't quit from the very first time."

Addiction, whether substance-related or behavioral, is a recognized mental disorder comparable to depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, not a result of insufficient willpower or moral weakness. Juan's family experience illustrates how undiagnosed ADHD, combined with bullying and early cannabis use, can lead to severe mental health crises including bipolar disorder and suicide attempts. Scientific evidence confirms that individual susceptibility to addiction varies significantly; some people use substances without becoming dependent while others cannot quit despite initial use. Society's persistent belief that addiction stems from voluntary choice and lack of determination perpetuates harmful stigma, making recovery more difficult. This misconception contrasts sharply with how depression and other mental illnesses are understood, revealing a fundamental gap in public understanding of addiction as a treatable medical condition requiring professional intervention.

Read at english.elpais.com