Why Do People Become Alcoholics? Exploring Root Causes

• by Admissionhub
• January 10, 2025

There are genes that Twelve-step program code for the proteins that make up these two enzymes. Science shows that differences in these genes lead to structural distinctions in the enzymes and affect their function. These distinctions, in turn, allow some of us to metabolize alcohol more efficiently. Our Recovery Advocates are ready to answer your questions about addiction treatment and help you start your recovery.

Trauma History

• It’s a disease that can impact anyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, body type, or personal beliefs.
• Stressful life events have also been linked to someone developing an alcohol addiction.

Drinking releases endorphins which can why do people become alcoholics lead people to feel happy, energized, and excited. But alcohol is also classified as a depressant and can cause fatigue, restlessness, and depression. It may shift from stimulant to sedative in line with whether blood alcohol content is rising or falling. Given the power of alcohol on the brain, people who drink heavily may come to rely on it to regulate their mood. Heavy drinking can fuel changes in the brain—about half of people who meet the criteria for alcoholism show problems with thinking or memory, research suggests. The ability to plan ahead, learn and hold information (like a phone number or shopping list), withhold responses as needed, and work with spatial information (such as using a map) can be affected.

Genetic Predisposition to Alcohol Use Disorder

• People may turn to alcohol as a way to cope with trauma or other, often unrecognized psychological disorders.
• While end-stage alcoholism is a dire situation, it’s not a hopeless one.
• In addition, risk factors are cumulative, such that having more than one risk factor significantly increases the probability that one may develop a specific disease or disorder.
• Compared to people without a drinking problem, men and women who sought treatment for alcohol addiction had a higher prevalence of childhood trauma, research finds.
• Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through!
• There’s a chance your doctor may order blood work to check your liver function if you show signs or symptoms of liver disease.

Casual drinkers enjoy alcohol in moderation without developing a dependence or experiencing negative consequences. It depends on the factors that contribute to them developing this habit. Consciously choosing healthy lifestyles and avoiding social pressures and risky situations is a significant first step. The causes typically include learned behavior, outside pressures, and mental health challenges a person experiences over a prolonged period. No matter the stage of the disease, if you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, seek professional help to achieve the benefits of quitting alcohol and learn how to live a healthier life.

What’s the outlook for a person with alcohol use disorder?

Many are https://ecosoberhouse.com/ also born with a smaller-than-normal head and facial abnormalities. Because researchers don’t know exactly how much alcohol a mother has to drink to cause harm, the U.S. Surgeon General recommends that pregnant women abstain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy. The genetic predisposition of AUD may be affected by two main genes — the ALDH2 and ADH1B genes.

• These facilities will provide you with 24-hour care as you withdraw from alcohol and recover from your addiction.
• Professional medical staff can assist in the difficult process of withdrawal, making the transition into sobriety less daunting.
• There are several organizations geared specifically to treating the families of alcoholics, including Alanon.
• The early or adaptive stage of alcoholism marks the beginning of an alcoholic’s struggle with addiction.
• The effects of alcohol are even more marked in adults over 65, because their bodies don’t metabolize alcohol as well as those of younger adults.

To avoid developing alcoholism, drink responsibly or avoid alcohol entirely. Understanding the risks of developing AUD can also help you avoid it. Unfortunately, drinking alcohol is a coping mechanism in which the long-term adverse effects significantly outweigh the temporary benefits. Research shows that loud music in bars can increase alcohol consumption by as much as 31%. It raises arousal levels and makes conversation difficult, leading people to order more drinks instead of engaging in conversation.

…