What Causes Alcohol Addiction?

While alcohol dependence, often called “alcohol addiction”, can happen to anyone at any time, there are people who are more prone to dependence or who are more susceptible because of a challenging life situation. It is estimated that around 10% of Americans above the age of 12 have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This number can be alarming but it is important to remember that help is available for anyone struggling with alcohol dependence.

Because of this, it is important to understand the potential causes of alcohol dependence, such as genetic, environmental, biological, and behavioral factors, among others.

Alcohol dependence can be classified as the continued use of alcohol despite being aware of it causing problems in one’s life. It is also referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD), alcohol dependency, or alcoholism.

It is important to note that people can drink alcohol and maintain healthy drinking behavior. It is when a person can’t stop drinking and becomes dependent on alcohol use that they cross the line into alcohol dependence.

When someone who is addicted to alcohol attempts to stop drinking, they are likely to experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and other negative effects. If left untreated, alcohol dependence can lead to serious health issues like liver disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), cirrhosis, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and more.

Genetic factors play a huge role in developing alcohol dependence, with some estimates stating that genetics make up about half of a person’s likelihood of developing dependence.

There are currently various studies going on to determine specific genes that are related to alcoholism and how these genes show up among family members. Results from these studies may help to further improve treatment methods and preventative measures for people who have a hereditary risk of alcoholism.

Genetic factors that lead to alcohol dependence include:

• Family history – People with a parent or close relative with an AUD are more likely to develop an AUD themselves, especially if they grew up in a home with an addicted family member.
• Race – Some races may be more susceptible to the effects of alcohol, for example, some people of Asian descent may feel very ill after drinking alcohol due to a gene they possess that alters their alcohol metabolism.
• Individual genes – Some individuals appear to have genes that make alcohol treatments (such as naltrexone) more effective, though more study is needed on this.

After genetic factors, environmental factors seem to play the next largest role in a person’s dependence.

Environmental factors that lead to alcohol dependence include:

• Upbringing and family environment – Children who grow up around an alcoholic parent or caregiver are up to four times more likely to become alcoholics themselves and may experience a heavy psychological toll from this type of upbringing.
• Peer pressure and social circles – If a young person finds themselves in a friend group or social group that participates in risky behaviors like underage drinking, then they are likely to be pressured into similar behaviors.
• Ease of accessibility – A person may be more likely to abuse alcohol if they have an older sibling or parent who keeps alcohol in the home.
• Socioeconomic status and stressors – People who grow up and live in low socioeconomic environments are found to die more frequently from alcohol-related health issues, likely because this is a more vulnerable population with less access to health care and support services.

Psychological factors can affect a person’s likelihood of dependence and it is also possible that psychological issues can result from having a dependence.

Experiencing alcohol dependence at the same time as another mental health condition can be particularly dangerous, as experiencing them together may lead to life-threatening behaviors like self-harm and suicidal ideation.

Psychological factors that lead to alcohol dependence include:

• Co-occurring mental health disorders – People may turn to alcohol as a way of self-medicating for another disorder or mental health problem, such as a depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Trauma and stress – Alcohol can be used as a means of escaping or numbing down reality after experiencing an extreme event or trauma.
• Personality traits – Certain personality traits may also make a person more prone to dependence, such as impulsiveness, someone who is not afraid to take risks, or who is known to have obsessive thoughts or behaviors.
• Coping mechanisms – people with mental health issues or who have experienced a recent trauma may have poor coping mechanisms and may turn to alcohol use as a means of feeling better.

Biological factors can include things like gender and general health, diet, and hormone levels, and can also be related to a person’s tendency to have a problem with alcohol or other substances.

Biological factors that lead to alcohol dependence include:

• Brain chemistry – The brain is very susceptible to changes in chemistry from excessive drinking which can become worse with long-term alcohol abuse, making it difficult for someone with alcohol problems to quit drinking.
• Role of neurotransmitters and reward pathways – People who have imbalances in the neurotransmitter serotonin are not only more susceptible to dependence, but they may also seek out substances as a means of experiencing the pleasure that they are lacking.
• Physical dependence and tolerance – Depending on a person’s size, gender, and other factors they may build up an alcohol tolerance and dependence much faster or slower than others who drink the same amount of alcohol.

In some instances, people may also be affected by behavioral factors, which are more individualized and specific to each person.

Behavioral factors that lead to alcohol dependence include:

• Addictive patterns of alcohol consumption – People who are more prone to addictive patterns and behaviors are less likely to be able to stop drinking once it becomes a problem and may experience frequent relapses.
• Habit formation and reinforcement – People who have their negative behaviors reinforced are likely to keep engaging in those same behaviors
• Binge drinking and heavy drinking patterns – Sometimes the way a person drinks can be just as damaging as how much a person drinks and binge drinking combines the dangers of drinking a large amount of alcohol with drinking it in a fast amount of time.

Depending on where a person lives and their individual situation, they may also be heavily influenced by social and cultural ideas.

Social and cultural factors that lead to alcohol dependence include:

• Cultural attitudes towards alcohol – Depending on the culture that a person comes from, they may either be more prone to use alcohol or even forbidden from using alcohol.
• Media and advertising – Media can make it look attractive to drink alcohol and advertising is often directed towards younger people and adolescents as well.
• Societal norms – Social norms tend to dictate when, where, why, and how people consume alcohol, such as at parties or other social gatherings, and people may feel more pressured to drink in these situations.
• Religious beliefs – People are often affected by their religious beliefs and practices and can be equally affected by resistance to these beliefs.

All of the above factors can be found in individuals in various combinations, while there are also overall risk factors that can lead to alcohol dependence.

In addition to this, it is more common to find alcohol dependence among certain high-risk groups and demographics, especially young males, veterans, people in high-risk professions, and members of the LGBTQ community.

Risk factors for alcohol dependence include:

• Drinking at an early age
• Past or recent trauma
• Having a high-stress career
• Having other mental health conditions or medical conditions
• Peer pressure or pressure from an intimate partner
• Family history of alcohol dependence

Because it is so essential to a person’s recovery that they get help as early as possible, it is important to be aware of signs and symptoms to look out for in yourself or a loved one.

Early warning signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence:

• Changes in drinking habits, such as drinking more or suddenly engaging in binge drinking
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits
• Having difficulty cutting back on alcohol use
• Talking about or thinking about alcohol frequently
• Hanging out with a new group of friends who drink
• Losing interest in usual hobbies and activities
• Changes in appearance and personal hygiene

If you notice any of these signs in someone you care about, try to get help for them as soon as possible, though this may be easier said than done.

The sooner that a person addresses their dependence, the better their chances are of getting help and staying sober and healthy in the long term.

Fortunately, there are several options available when it comes to addressing a substance use disorder such as an AUD.

Prevention, treatment options, and intervention techniques for alcohol dependence include:

• Prevention strategies – It is often possible to stop an alcohol dependence before it starts, but this requires education, awareness, and strong support systems within homes and communities.
• Intervention techniques – Interventions can be performed by family members and friends, often along with the help of professionals, for people who are struggling with dependence but unable to get the help they need on their own.
• Detox – This process that is done in early treatment can help people get through the worst of their cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms with the assistance of medication and under the supervision of medical professionals.
• Behavioral therapy – These types of evidence-based therapies can be very effective when treating alcohol use disorders, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
• Medications – Certain medications have been approved to help treat alcohol use disorder and help people reach sobriety safely, including naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.
• Inpatient treatment – With this type of rehab, participants live onsite in a treatment facility and participate in group therapy and individual therapy, as well as detox and medication-assisted treatment when needed.
• Outpatient treatment – People can access various types of dependence treatment while still living at home and maintaining their personal lives, jobs, school, families, and other responsibilities.
• Support groups – While the most well-known support group is Alcoholics Anonymous, there are several other support groups available to people in recovery to allow them to share their stories and find a supportive community.

When seeking help for alcohol misuse or dependence, the first thing to always remember is that you are never alone on this journey. And, whether you are looking to find treatment for yourself or a loved one, there are help and resources available in your area if you know where to find it.

Contact us at RehabNet.com by calling our helpline or filling out our contact form and we can help answer your questions and get you started on the path to recovery today.