The multicausal model of drug abuse takes into account the social and individual causes of addiction, both distant and immediate, which lead to a disposition to use drugs , drug use and social and individual consequences. The reason why a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol is different for everyone. Some are genetically predisposed, others learn it from their environment (e.g. family or friends), and still others use it to avoid a trauma they have experienced. The case describes a client who had both social and individual causes for her alcohol use and subsequent addiction. From an individual perspective, the client was a victim of child abuse, which led to feelings of fear and sadness and a desire to avoid these emotions. . Socially she came from a family of alcoholics who gave her easy availability. There was also pressure to keep up appearances due to her mother's status in society. The initial individual consequences of the client's alcohol use were reinforcing. She felt invincible, warm and this helped her avoid the thoughts in her head. All was right with the world as long as she was drunk. After prolonged use the consequences were unpleasant. He neglected his children and was unable to maintain a romantic relationship. His excessive drinking embarrassed his family. She apparently didn't get the same relief from alcohol, forcing her to find ways to drink more (e.g., making herself sick). As a result of years of use she had entered a neuro-adaptive state where tolerance had caused an increased need for alcohol. This state also explains the extreme withdrawal symptoms he experienced when he stopped drinking. Just as there are many patterns and causes of abuse, there are also many theories about addiction... middle of paper... alcoholism. Similarly, a family history of alcohol might be a genetic factor in the client's drinking problem, so might acceptance of alcohol as an avoidance tool. This client was given alcohol at age 6 by her teenage sister to relieve her pain. We do not know why her sister began drinking, but one can assume that the practice is not generally frowned upon as underage drinking appears to be a norm in this household. As illustrated, the pattern of drug abuse and the theories underlying addiction are varied. There is no concrete reason why a person who drinks becomes dependent on alcohol over a person who doesn't. Several factors contribute to why a person starts drinking and why they continue to do so despite reasons to quit. The history shows a client with many risk factors associated with alcohol use and dependence.