3: John Nelson

What causes addiction? There is no definitive answer, at least yet, to this question. There are, however, well-evidenced studies linking it to trauma, childhood experience, neurological function, comorbidity, traits of personality and environmental factors (Childs & De Wit, 2015; Meque, Salom, Betts, & Alati, 2019). Often, it is recognised as a combination of these factors, unique and personal to the individual affected and their life experience (Pickard, 2021). If the underlying cause of addiction is influenced by individual circumstance, then so too is its development. To some it is progressive, for others there may be a catalyst and for some it can be a combination of both. This chapter presents just such an account. An account where the conditions for alcoholism were primed, waiting for a devastating event that would move the story's author towards a crippling alcohol dependency. In his own words, John Nelson, a recovering alcoholic, tells his story of recovery and how it enabled him to find meaning and purpose after traumatic loss. John was born in the United Kingdom in 1960, in his own words, here is John's story.