There are genetic factors at play that make some more vulnerable than others. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12635538 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/

There are genetic factors at play that make some more vulnerable than others. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12635538 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12635538 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24878765 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24878765 I can confirm this anecdotally. In my family tree, just considering my parents, biological uncles/aunts and first-cousins - out of a total population of 19, our family has had 8 distinct individuals who were either alcoholic, drug addicted or compulsive gamblers, for a total of 8 out of 19. I am one of those (in recovery since 1998). I can now recognise the telltale behavioural signs that may indicate tendency to compulsive/addictive behaviour. I'd love to see a cheap genetic test for addictiveness made available.