Causes and Factors of Alcoholism

However, according to the Mayo Clinic, alcoholism—or alcohol use disorder—can generally be diagnosed in an individual who drinks heavily in a way that interferes with his or her life and daily functioning. Sana Lake Recovery Center is a Joint Commission Accredited addiction treatment program. We offer a safe and trustworthy facility for people struggling with substance abuse. This seal indicates our commitment to continually elevating our standards and providing a superior treatment for substance abuse. If you’ve lost a loved one, gotten divorced or got fired from your job, you’re likely dealing with grief, pain and loss. For the time being, alcohol might make you feel joyful and carefree, but if you develop alcoholism, your grief and pain will get worse.

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• When a partner or close friend frequently drinks, you may be more inclined to join them.
• They may have drinking-related legal problems, such as repeated arrests for driving while intoxicated.
• Heavy drinkers will begin to drink even more in an attempt to keep withdrawal at bay.
• Underage drinkers are more likely to become alcoholics at some point in their lives.

Within a culture that largely celebrates drinking, it can be difficult to broach the subject of alcoholism or to bring up concerns about you or someone you know has a drinking problem. Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction and get help for yourself or a loved one. Seven Hills Hospital helps individuals struggling with alcohol addictionbuild a strong foundation for lasting recovery.

Is alcohol use disorder a disease?

Nor does the absence of family drinking problems necessarily protect children from developing these problems. It involves heavy or frequent alcohol drinking even when it causes problems, emotional distress or physical harm. A combination of medications, behavioral therapy and support can help you or a loved one recover. Several other factors can also increase the risk of developing an alcohol addiction. These factors can be harmful on their own, but when they occur simultaneously, they can easily contribute to an alcohol use disorder. Men and women metabolize alcohol differently, which can explain the difference in risks for alcohol addiction.

It is a manner of adapting to their environment and as a way to confirm their increasing independence. It can be easily concluded that one of the strong causes of alcoholism among young people is peer pressure. An underlying mental illness, such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder, can also increase a person’s chances of developing an alcohol problem.

Common Causes of Alcoholism

There is also a high risk of overdose when combining alcohol with prescription drugs. Make sure to call 911 if you ever witness this happening to someone. Some medications interact with alcohol, increasing its toxic effects. Drinking while taking these medications can either increase or decrease their effectiveness, or make them dangerous.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism warns that binge drinking and heavy alcohol use are among thecauses of alcoholism. Stress is a common risk factor for many medical and mental health problems, including alcohol use and addiction.

Mental Health Disorders

Let your child know what behavior you expect — and what the consequences will be for not following the rules. Talk openly with your child, spend quality time together and become actively involved in your child’s life.

Even when a person has a genetic predisposition for alcoholism, positive environmental influences such as education, religion and marriage can decrease the chances of developing a drinking problem. You will also find information on spotting the signs and symptoms of substance use and hotlines for immediate assistance. Using one or more of several types of psychological therapies, psychologists can help people address psychological issues involved in their problem drinking. A number of these therapies, including cognitive-behavioral coping skills treatment and motivational enhancement therapy, were developed by psychologists.

What Are the Types of Treatment for AUD?

What causes alcoholism can be as simple as drinking too much over time. Building up a tolerance to alcohol requires you to drink more and more to get the same feeling. When you start drinking too much over time, you’re at a higher risk of developing alcoholism.

Alcohol use tends to begin in the late teens or early twenties, peak in the middle and late twenties, and slow by the early thirties. Individuals in their early to mid-twenties are the most likely to abuse alcohol and suffer from alcohol use disorders. The younger that an individual starts consuming alcohol, the more likely they are to develop alcoholism later in causes of alcoholism life. This is especially true of individuals who start drinking before 15. The more you turn to alcohol to ease feelings of pain and hardship, the more your body becomes tolerant to the drug and relies on its effects. Co-occurring alcohol abuse and mental health conditions, like depression, bipolar and schizophrenia, can cause an array of serious side effects.

Some studies have shown that drinking alcohol in moderation may offer some level of protection to individuals against heart attack (Mukamal et al. 1965). Alcoholism also increases the risk of cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders. Excessive use of the beverage may cause an increase in the level of toxic amino acid in the plasma. This may be the reason why some individuals suffer from withdrawal seizures. Cut 15% off your first order Use discount The difference in genetic characteristics also determines the risk of developing the disorder. This is mainly because different races have certain different genetic characteristics.

• “It’s a slow, sort of insidious process,” Dr. Kenneth Leonard, director of the Research Institute on Addictions, told DrugRehab.com.
• Additionally, the person receiving treatment can also address their unhealthy drinking behaviors and learn to adapt to triggering situations with more productive coping skills.
• Over time, however, this level of drinking can for some become more frequent and develop into alcoholism.
• While trying their first sip of beer at a party, they’re naively unaware of the impact it can have on their lives.
• In a recent study by The Recovery Village, 44% of respondents reported abusing alcohol in an attempt to ease uncomfortable feelings that stem from underlying anxiety.