Actually, I notice a common thread with addicts (and I'm one as well, so i speak from experience): a disconnection from people. Not every addict is disconnected, but I do see that the absence of strong bonds with people plays a role, or has in my own life. Humans naturally want to form bonds. If they don't form bonds with people, they will attach themselves to something else, drugs, gambling, sex, whatever. I look at the times when I was the worst addict and notice the thread was this: no strong relationship with anyone. Life was a random series of events with no connection to another soul. We are not born addicts as I had a near perfect childhood, was a straight A student and voted "most likely to succeed". Each person has a unique set of factors of course, but the disconnection to people was a killer in my case........it's my struggle.