Was Goehring an "addictive personality"?

Would Goering have become a drug addict or alcoholic without the Beer Hall Putsch?


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Did Hermann Goering have what might be considered an "addictive personality"? The reason I'm asking is from an AH viewpoint if he hadn't been injured at the Munich Beer Hall putsch would he have still likely become a drug addict, or alternately an alcoholic? I already know he was pretty much a "pleasure addict".
 

Deleted member 1487

Did Hermann Goering have what might be considered an "addictive personality"? The reason I'm asking is from an AH viewpoint if he hadn't been injured at the Munich Beer Hall putsch would he have still likely become a drug addict, or alternately an alcoholic? I already know he was pretty much a "pleasure addict".
He had many vices, food, drugs at one point, power, jewelry and clothes, and so on. Clearly he had such a personality that he needed something to overdo:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addictive_personality
 

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First of all I'd say that it isn't an established fact that "addictive personalites" actually exists. There is still quite a debate going on wheter or not it does. So your entire premise may be flawed from the start.

Second of all I'm not sure I'd agree that even if "addictive personalities" exists that Göring was one. He sobered up pretty quickly when undergoing trial at Nürnberg (thanks to the diet the prisoner commander put him through). He might simply be a guy that came into wealth and fame faster then he could adapt to it, much like many other celebreties have done before and after him.
 

Deleted member 1487

He sobered up pretty quickly when undergoing trial at Nürnberg (thanks to the diet the prisoner commander put him through).
How is that proof? He sobered up due to being totally utterly controlled in his intact by his warden and having to defend his life on the stand. At that point he was a cornered rat fighting for his life.
 
To be fair his addiction to morphine was because of his injuries and his being over prescribed. That is a pretty common problem now in our current time frame.
 
I disagree with Mr. Rubicon.
Addictions often have much deeper roots than mere chemical addiction to drugs.
Chances are that Goering suffered PTSD from his WW1 combat experiences. Participating in a failed putsch is hard on one's self-esteem. Sitting idle for too many months - while healing - gives the mind too much time to dwell on the negative side of life. Opiates are convenient ways to escape all those depressing thoughts.

ITTL there is a book entitled "Positive Addictions." It's basic premise is that some people have addictive personalities. Some vent their frustration with retail therapy, some beat thier wives and some abuse drugs. OTOH "positive addicts" calm their minds by becoming workaholics or perfectionists or marathon runners.
 
Goering was the only top Nazi diagnosed as a sociopath if I remember correctly, and those tend to be thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies.

That said, given the circumstances of his diagnosis and the quality of the mental-health profession at the time, I'm inclined to think it suspicious.
 

Deleted member 1487

Goering was the only top Nazi diagnosed as a sociopath if I remember correctly, and those tend to be thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies.

That said, given the circumstances of his diagnosis and the quality of the mental-health profession at the time, I'm inclined to think it suspicious.
http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=buy.optionToBuy&id=1948-04190-001
Hermann Goering, amiable psychopath.
By Gilbert, G. M.
The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, Vol 43(2), Apr 1948, 211-229.
Abstract
With a good deal of new material the author of Nuremberg Diary tells the life history of the number 2 Nazi, showing consistency from early childhood in the development of Goering's peculiar psychopathy. Constitution played its part in his abilities and sadistic, aggressive leadership, but lack of feeling for others was due in part to the cold Prussian home life. Fed on Teutonic legend and Junker militarism, he believed deeply in loyalty to the Kaiser, military chivalry, military aristocracy, and German superiority. Peaceful or democratic people were repulsive to him. Never able to take punishment or to benefit from disapproval, he was completely self-centered. The Nazi party provided opportunity for military power, loyalty to an absolute Führer, sadistic excitement, revenge against enemies, and unlimited financial gain. He was shocked to realize that other Nazis were so unchivalrous as to wipe out populations of women and children. (He overlooked the similar effects of his Luftwaffe raids.) When rebuffed, he early learned to escape in phantasy, illness, or drug addiction. Play acting as an amiable nobleman served his phantasy needs. At Nuremberg he gave a fine performance, but the final indignities spoiled his heroic pose. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
 

Deleted member 1487

The WWII Allies liked to engage in politically-motivated psychoanalysis, including claiming the German people as a whole were predisposed to dictatorial rule due to child-rearing practices.

The fact Goering covered for his brother's Resistance activities undermines him being a sociopath, as he's putting family loyalty before selfish gain.
How do you figure? If his brother was exposed as a resistance member, it makes him look bad, especially at a time when his power is uncertain.
 
How do you figure? If his brother was exposed as a resistance member, it makes him look bad, especially at a time when his power is uncertain.

In that case, he could always blackmail him with threatening to expose his Resistance activities in order to get him to accept a position of ambassador to Paraguay or some other faraway place he can't cause trouble.

Or have him placed under some kind of house arrest or some other easily-concealed semi-imprisonment.
 
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