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Free Will In Addictive Behaviors: A Matter Of Definition, Eric Klinger

Psychology Publications

Certain people are at risk for using alcohol or other drugs excessively and for developing problemswith their use. Their susceptibilitymight arise froma variety of factors, including their genetic make-up, brain chemistry, family background, personality and other psychological variables, and environmental and sociocultural variables.Moreover, after substance use has become established, there are additional cognitive-motivational variables (e.g., substance- related attentional bias) that contribute to enacting behaviors consistent with the person's motivation to acquire and use the substance. People who are at such risk are likely to choose to use addictive substances even though doing so entails negative consequences. In the sense of …