male smoking and drinking
| | | |

High Time To Quit The Addiction Cycle

Hello, it’s Alex here. I’ve noticed that when someone is a drinker or smoker, they may have a genetic reason for doing certain behaviors because they’re caught up in the addiction cycle. It may be an action they had no real desire to start but may have been predisposed if that gene was a dominant one in their DNA profile. Is it an addiction?

My girlfriend (decades ago now) had a brother whom I’ll call “Steve.” It’s through Steve that I first became aware of what I’m labeling addiction cycles.

Food, Smokes, and Mary Jane

When I was over at her house, sometimes Steve would come over to visit. After he left, she would comment that Steve would go back and forth over several months between different behaviors. One time it would be food, then it would move to cigarettes, then to marijuana, back to food, and so on.

I was not aware of this genetic link before then, but it made sense: If someone has that “addiction” gene, it doesn’t matter what that addiction is. A person with this addiction gene, like Steve, finds it much easier to get “hooked” than, say, a “regular” person. (Calling all regular people out there to raise their hands!)

Research suggests that genetics account for about 40-60% of addiction vulnerability. The DRD2 gene, for example, plays a role in dopamine receptors, which influence how intensely a person experiences pleasure and reward. Some people have a natural tendency to chase that high, whether it’s from alcohol, nicotine, or even excessive eating. But genetics aren’t the whole story. Environment plays a role, too, shaping how addiction patterns develop over time.

Going From One Bad Habit to Another

IIn some cases, as with Steve, the addiction can transfer itself from one substance to another. The person is in a constant state of addiction, hooked on something until it becomes too expensive, then moves on to the next “hook.”

This is what’s called the addiction cycle—a loop where someone goes from craving to indulgence, then withdrawal, then right back to craving again. It might start with one vice, but when that’s no longer accessible, the brain looks for another way to get its fix. People often convince themselves that swapping one habit for another is a form of progress, but really, it’s just shifting the problem.

In this case, the person may acknowledge he has a problem, but he is unable to kick the habit completely (addiction), and merely transfers that addiction to something else, thinking or hoping that habit-hopping will solve the problem. But it doesn’t. The brain is still trapped in the cycle, searching for that next dopamine hit.

Thanks, Alex, for your contribution to A New Sober You.

I’d like to add here that in order to stop the addiction cycle, you first have to realize you’re in an addiction cycle. I also somewhat agree with Alex that the likelihood of you following in the footsteps of a parent if they were addicted to substances is high. But there’s more to it than just genetics.

Addiction Cycle Picked Up at a Young Age

Young adults smoking and drinking at a bar

Maybe it’s NOT all related to the addiction gene, per se. Maybe you learn by watching when you are a kid. Parents try to send the message of, “Do what I say, not what I do.” But if a child grows up watching their parents rely on alcohol, cigarettes, or other substances to cope with stress, it’s no surprise when they adopt the same behaviors.

Studies on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) show that children who grow up in homes with substance abuse are four times more likely to struggle with addiction themselves. It’s not just about biology—it’s about exposure. Kids don’t just inherit tendencies; they learn them. If their role models numb pain with alcohol or avoid stress with a cigarette, those coping mechanisms become ingrained in their own habits.

As Alex points out, Steve would go from one “drug” to another, ditching the current habit for another that was either more appealing or didn’t cost as much to feed. It’s why so many dieters struggle. Food is a necessary part of life, but it can easily become an emotional crutch. Unlike alcohol or nicotine, you have to eat to live. That makes it one of the hardest addictions and urges to manage, since the answer can’t be total abstinence—only moderation.

How to Break the Addiction Cycle

Recognizing the cycle is step one. But what comes next? Breaking free from addiction requires more than just willpower. It takes awareness, strategy, and support. The urges won’t just disappear, but you can retrain your brain to handle them differently.

Start by identifying your personal triggers. Is it stress? Loneliness? Boredom? Addiction doesn’t happen in a vacuum—there’s usually an underlying emotion fueling it. Once you pinpoint the cause, you can work on replacing the addictive behavior with a healthier alternative.

Therapy, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), has been shown to help people escape addiction cycles by rewiring thought patterns. Instead of reacting impulsively to cravings, CBT teaches people how to pause, evaluate, and make intentional choices.

Building a strong support system is also crucial. Whether it’s a 12-step program like AA or a trusted friend who holds you accountable, having people in your corner makes a huge difference. You don’t have to fight addiction alone.

Most importantly, give yourself grace. Nobody breaks free from addiction overnight. It’s a process, one that takes time, patience, and persistence.

Final Thoughts

Look, you do need food to live, but you don’t need alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, or other addictive substances to survive. These things aren’t just optional—they’re destructive. They take away more than they give. They’re anti-life in my humble opinion.

If someone shared this post with you and you want to quit your addiction to alcohol, mosey on over to A New Sober You and check out our eBook on Amazon, “Life’s Better Sober.” This 66-day journey gives you the tools, motivation, and structure to break the cycle for good. Your future self will thank you.

Life's Better Sober eBook - Coaching Program by Susan Gast
Click image to go purchase on Amazon