The Etiology of Alcoholism: The Role of Psychological Predisposition

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Abstract
Basic problems of one-sided diagnoses, lack of precision about whole and part of personality, the fallacy of post hoc, ergo propter hoc reasoning about the "alcoholic personality" are presented. Alcoholism is to be seen as rooted in a complex interaction of antecedent physiochemical, psychological and sociological conditions. This does not rule out a characteristic predisposing core of personality traits. The contributions of psychoanalytic writers and a benhavioristic view of alcoholism is summarized. A constellation of personality variables, rooted in early life experiences, hypothesized as predisposing toward alcoholism would include: (a) an intensely strong need, drive, impulse toward dependency; (b) weak and inadequate defenses against this excessive need, leading to, under certain conditions, (c) an intense dependence-independence oonflict; there is also (d) a low degree of frustration or tension tolerance; and (e) unresolved love-hate ambivalences.

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