What Causes Alcoholism? A Look Into the Factors That Lead to AUD

Many individuals with mental health issues may turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication to alleviate symptoms or numb emotional pain. However, alcohol can exacerbate underlying mental health conditions and lead to a vicious cycle of dependency and worsening symptoms. Biological factors play a significant role in the development of alcoholism. There is evidence to suggest that genetics and family history contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to alcohol addiction. Studies have shown that certain genetic variations may influence how a person responds to alcohol, making them more prone to developing alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol and the Brain: In the Long Run

• The recovery from it often requires medical assistance in monitoring your progress or dealing with withdrawal symptoms.
• Social norms, such as drinking during a happy hour or on a college campus, and positive experiences with alcohol in the past (as opposed to getting nauseous or flushed) play a role as well.
• At Carolina Center for Recovery and affiliates, we aim to provide readers with the most accurate and updated healthcare information possible.
• At the same time, alcohol inhibits the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate.
• If these drinking patterns become a habit, individuals may struggle to socialize with others without drinking or feel as though they need to drink in order to be accepted.

The boost in endorphins and serotonin it provides can produce feelings of euphoria and well-being while reducing an individual’s feelings of anxiety. It also causes the individual’s blood vessels to dilate, causing them to feel warm and relaxed, and it acts Sober living house as a sedative that causes the user to feel drowsy and fall asleep quickly. For most people, the first exposure to alcohol was in a social setting. This initial introduction often occurs during the teenage years, a pivotal time for social development and experimentation. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about one in five people aged reported having at least one drink in their lifetime. Starting in adolescence, alcohol is often a mainstay in a wide variety of social events, from parties and sporting events to more casual gatherings.

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Research shows that men are more likely to have an alcohol addiction, but women are at a greater risk of health problems from alcohol abuse. Men and women metabolize alcohol differently, which can explain the difference in risks for alcohol addiction. Men tend to have a lower response to alcohol, which can make them more likely to use larger quantities and develop an addiction. Research has shown that individuals who begin drinking alcohol at a young age are more likely to develop alcohol use disorders as adults than those who delay alcohol consumption until later in life. Our Heartland drug rehab offers alcoholism treatment that incorporates medically assisted care and psychotherapy to support the individual in their physical and mental recovery. We also offer family therapy to help spouses, children, and parents heal from the impact of addiction and learn how to best support their loved ones.

Past Trauma

You should also consider attending a local AA meeting or participating in a self-help program such as Women for Sobriety. Alcohol use disorder can cause serious and lasting damage to your liver. When you drink too much, your liver has a harder time filtering the alcohol and other toxins from your bloodstream. Let’s dive further into it and explore some of the most common reasons why people become alcoholics.

• TV shows, movies, and social media often glamorize drinking, making it seem like everyone’s doing it and it’s essential for fun or relaxation.
• Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.
• The severity of AUD varies from person to person, with alcohol constituting the most severe case.
• Some who do not have genetic risk factors may develop alcoholism if raised in an environment that encourages or normalizes maladaptive drinking behaviors.

Many of these individuals begin to rely on alcohol to alleviate their symptoms or cope with their mental illness’s impact on their lives. However, as time passes and drinking continues, the individual may become dependent on alcohol to feel “normal.” This ultimately results in heavier drinking, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ which can develop into alcoholism. There are also aftercare programs to support the individual in ongoing recovery and even family services designed to help mend relationships and promote individual healing within the family unit.

How does alcoholism impact relationships and families?

• Alcohol Use Disorder is a pattern of disordered drinking that leads to significant distress.
• Despite the differences in subtypes of “alcoholics,” AUD doesn’t define any one of us.
• The effectiveness of these programs varies depending upon the severity of the problem, the social and psychological factors involved and the individual’s commitment to the process.

Certain genes affect the amount of alcohol people consume and their likelihood of developing alcohol dependence. These genetic factors may influence how why do people become alcoholics a person responds to alcohol, how much pleasure they derive from drinking, or how high their tolerance might be. People often use the term “alcoholic” or “alcoholism” to refer to someone who is addicted to alcohol.