Interesting analogy Dave. So really it comes down to a maladaptive response to a stimuli. The stimuli could be virtually anything. Many people are never taught conflict resolution skills so rather than thinking a situation through as to the best way to handle it whether it be peer pressure, low self esteem, pain, loss, conflict, divorce, poverty etc., they choose to take the path of least resistance. Something they can easily have initial control of and that gives them immediate gratification like the decision to take a drug, starve or cut themselves, hurt someone or something, throw things, etc. or in many of our cases, drink. People would still get the gratification of dealing with the stimuli if they chose instead to meditate, reason, exercise or simply walk away but the payoff might be delayed. So that's how we fall into this abyss. It may simply come down to the need for instant gratification.
