Never addicted: Why?

Without a medical degree, I think the way you describe each of your beginnings may offer a clue. It sounds as if you simply experimented and didn't enjoy the experience enough to repeat it. Your brother on the other hand sounds as if the experience, and continued smoking, may have at first been a way to "fit in or be cool". That can create a psychological craving for the social reinforcement received from cigarettes. Of course, continued use leads to a physical addiction and craving that for me, was much more difficult physically to overcome than my alcoholism. I tried every smoking cessation gimmick (and I don't mean that critically as each one has value to someone) known prior to 2008. On Dec. 21, 2008, I simply decided that the smell was making it nearly impossible to be near my wife because she developed an allergy to smoke and I did not like what it was adding to a chronic disease I contracted. I threw away what I had (probably at least the 10th or 12th time I had done so) and have not smoked since. I just needed more motivation than I carried in previous attempts.

Hope this helps, Gary

I guess something's special about me.

It’s called the “addictive personality.” Its common in certain families and genealogy lines. You must become aware of these personality traits for your children and grandchildren. And educate them in the ability to cope with it,

My husband’s family has suffered with addiction for generations. He’s had cousins, aunts, and uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents...the list goes on and on...who have died from many different types of addictions including overeating leading to diabetes, alcoholism, drug abuse, thievery, and gambling.
All of these addictions have destroyed many lives with his family including our very own. They affect the financial, physical, and mental aspects of both strong and weak marriages, and are guaranteed to continue on through subsequent generations unless their members are TAUGHT HOW to recognize the signs and symptoms of addiction which may suddenly awaken after lying dormant and silent within themselves.

You are special, but not unique. Your brother is special but not unique either, The good part? Neither of you are alone in this quest for answers regarding addiction(s).

Addiction and addictive behavior doesn’t begin with an addictive substance such as nicotine, alcohol, or an opiate such as hydrocodone.