Why Was I Not Addicted: A Psychological or Scientific Explanation

Have you ever wondered why, despite trying alcohol, tobacco, or smoking out of curiosity, you were not addicted? Is there a psychological or scientific reason for this?

The Role of Craving and Aversion in Buddhism

One possible explanation might be rooted in the Buddhism-related concepts of craving and aversion. If you successfully overcame these and learned to 'accept what is,' you might be more likely to resist the allure of addiction. However, this does not necessarily make you an anomaly or a unicorn. Rather, it may reflect a lack of exposure to or use of substances, or a strong resistance due to psychological factors.

Denial: The Intrinsic Mechanism of Addiction

If you are not a unicorn, your resistance to addiction might be attributed to denial. Denial is a mental defense mechanism that helps us avoid facing reality, whether it's a personal fear, a health issue, or the potential for addiction.

Denial is part of the five stages of grief, where it helps individuals cope with distressing news. However, in the context of addiction, denial takes on a different form. It actively encourages continued consumption, almost as if it is an entity that seeks to maintain its own existence. My personal experience with this form of denial due to being an alcoholic can illustrate this point. Even with stark facts pointing to the dangers, denial tells you that you still have time to get sober.

Personal Experience with Alcoholic Denial

My personal experience with alcoholic denial is a stark reminder of how misleading this defense mechanism can be. Both my mother and father died of alcoholism, which made the reality of my own addiction very clear. However, my denial suggested that I could still tolerate drinking and that I could get sober anytime I wanted when it became critical. Unfortunately, a diagnosis of critical liver damage with only 45% liver function remaining, 2 years before I finally embraced sobriety, highlighted the severity of the problem. The 2 years before sobriety were marked by a gradual loss of control.

Resistance to Addiction: A Possible Rarity

While some individuals may be especially susceptible to addiction, there are also people who have an unusual resistance to becoming addicts. However, there is no documented case of someone being completely immune to addiction. The idea of being immune to addiction may be theoretically possible but has not been scientifically verified.

Your absence of addiction might also be due to a lack of exposure to certain substances or a strong psychological resistance. It's always a good idea to reflect on your personal habits and experiences and consult a professional if you have concerns about addiction.