As a psychologist and addiction specialist for more than 25 years, I have learned that there are so many factors that influence whether one will reach out for treatment for an addiction, psychiatric disorder, or perhaps the combination of both. Janis and Mann (1977) reflected on this with their "Balance Theory," which looks at the pros and cons of changing or holding onto certain behaviors (regardless of whether the specific disorder has a genetic predisposition or not).

For example, perhaps an individual is self-medicating an anxiety disorder with alcohol - has their use of alcohol started to cause more problems then it is worth as an "elixir" to sooth their apprehension? Is the person in a state of denial (what Prochaska and colleagues [1994] refer to as the "precontemplation" stage of change). These two factors alone warrant the person reaching out to help someone to meet them where they are at.