What Are the Main Causes of Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a terrible disease that has a devastating impact on the life of the person suffering from alcohol use disorder as well as their family members, friends and co-workers.

But the good news for anyone suffering from alcohol addiction is that it can be treated. Understanding its causes can also help in creating effective prevention and treatment strategies.

This blog explores the main causes of alcoholism.

The Importance of Understanding Alcoholism

Alcohol dependence is a very complex disease, and multiple factors can cause it. But understanding it goes beyond just knowing what leads to it, as it’s essential also to understand why alcoholism is so challenging to tackle.

Alcohol affects the brain in numerous ways, and it can alter how a person thinks, feels, and even behaves. This makes overcoming alcoholism not just about stopping drinking but also about dealing with changes in mental health and coping strategies.

If alcoholism develops, it also often impacts various aspects of a person’s life, such as their social circle, work environment, and personal relationships. This means that addressing the issue requires a very comprehensive approach, which will involve support and understanding from family, friends, and possibly professionals.

Because alcoholism is such a complex disease, the journey to recovery can be long and filled with ups and downs. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution because everyone’s experience with alcoholism is unique. What works for one person might not work for another, so finding the right treatment plan can take time and patience.

Who’s Most at Risk of Alcoholism?

Studies have also shown that men are more likely than women to develop alcohol problems, with roughly 9% of men and 4% of women having alcohol use disorder at some point in their lives.

This statistic is based on what existing research suggests. However, the exact figures will vary depending on location.

The Main Causes of Alcoholism

Although there is no definitive answer to the leading causes of alcoholism, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, there are specific internal and external influences that can increase risks and several biological, social, psychological and environmental factors that play a significant role in the development and progression of alcohol use disorder.

Genetic and Biological Factors

Family History and Genetics

The research that exists strongly indicates that genetics play a significant role in the development of alcoholism.

According to a recent, comprehensive study by the University of Rochester, individuals with a family history of alcoholism are four times more likely to develop alcoholism themselves. This risk is partly due to inherited genes and exposure to family members interacting with alcohol abuse.

Another study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in America found that genetic factors account for approximately 50% of the variance among alcoholics.

People who also have a close family member who suffers from alcohol use disorder are more likely to have a complicated relationship with alcohol, which leads them to engage in binge drinking habits or abuse alcohol.

Brain Chemistry and Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol impacts brain chemistry by influencing neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which regulate mood and behaviour.

Over time, frequent alcohol consumption can alter the brain’s reward and pleasure centres, making it feel very difficult to experience pleasure without alcohol. This is a biological change, and for many, it can drive the compulsion to drink more alcohol and maintain the cycle of addiction.

Psychological Factors

Mental Health Disorders

People struggling with untreated depression or other mental health conditions, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, may consume or binge drink alcohol as a way to cope with the symptoms caused by living with poor mental health.

For example, depression can lead individuals to drink to escape feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and anxiety might drive people to use alcohol to calm their nerves or reduce their worries.

A study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that individuals with mental health disorders are more likely to develop alcohol problems than those without such conditions.

Roughly 10% of men and 20% of women with major depression also have an alcohol use disorder, and people with anxiety disorders are at a higher risk of using alcohol to manage their intense feelings of fear and apprehension.

The temporary relief that alcohol provides from emotional pain can become a trap. Over time, what starts as a coping mechanism can develop into chronic drinking and even alcohol dependence. This creates a vicious cycle, where the problems associated with both mental health issues and alcohol use can worsen each other, making it harder to stop drinking alcohol.

Traumatic Experiences

There’s evidence to suggest that experiencing a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or loss of employment, can also lead to alcohol abuse as a coping mechanism, which can develop into alcoholism.

Additionally, prolonged exposure to trauma can result in complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), which is associated with a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder.

Specific forms of trauma, such as childhood physical abuse, have also been shown to increase the likelihood of developing alcohol problems in adulthood.

Certain Personality Traits

Certain personality traits may predispose individuals to alcoholism. Traits such as impulsivity, low self-esteem, and a high tendency towards risk-taking behaviours can make one more susceptible to alcohol misuse.

Environmental Factors

Exposure and Availability

Environmental factors, including exposure to alcohol at a young age and the overall availability of alcohol, significantly influence drinking behaviours.

In environments where alcohol is readily accessible, and its consumption is normalised, individuals are more likely to develop drinking problems later in life.

Stressful Life Events

Stressful life events such as job loss, financial or health problems, relationship issues, and the death of a loved one can trigger excessive drinking. People may turn to alcohol as a way to cope with stress and emotional pain, leading to a higher risk of developing alcoholism.

Financial Stability

Income also plays a role in alcohol abuse disorder, and individuals who come from higher socio-economic groups are as likely to consume excessive amounts of alcohol as those from poorer areas.

In fact, in more affluent communities, binge drinking is viewed as more socially acceptable and generally not perceived as a problem.

Social and Cultural Factors

Cultural Norms

Cultural norms around drinking can either mitigate or exacerbate the risk of alcoholism.

For example, in some cultures, such as in the UK, heavy drinking is seen as normal and mostly socially acceptable and even encouraged, increasing the risk of alcohol-related problems. Media portrayal of both alcohol intake and consumption as glamorous and desirable can also further perpetuate this risk by normalising excessive drinking.

Adolescent and Underage Drinking

Some experts on the subject believe that drinking alcohol at a young age can have severe consequences and even be a leading cause of developing alcoholism.

Many teenagers in the UK start drinking before they turn 16, and studies suggest that around 40% of 15-year-olds have tried alcohol. Unfortunately, teens who drink heavily are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence compared to those who start at age 21 or older.

Peer Pressure

The community or society that you grow up in and their attitude towards alcohol will influence how you perceive alcohol abuse and addiction.

As we touched on earlier in the genetic factors that may contribute to developing alcoholism, young children who are exposed to alcohol abuse and grow up in an environment where heavy drinking is acceptable will have an increased risk of developing alcohol addiction later in life.

Their friends and co-workers influence everyone, and in an effort to fit in, you may feel like you need to consume alcohol on a regular basis. Giving in to peer pressure and drinking heavily with your work colleagues and friends can lead to a drinking problem.

Is There a Single Leading Cause of Alcohol Use Disorder?

The research conducted on this topic suggests people at higher risk of alcoholism often include those who start drinking early in life.

However, as this article has shown, many risk factors exist. So, although anyone can develop alcoholism, early initiation of drinking, gender, family history, stressful circumstances, and peer influence can significantly influence a person’s risk.

Various other genetic and psychological factors, as well as environmental and social influences, also play a significant role.

Need Help for Alcohol Abuse? Call Us Today

We hope you’ve found this article insightful. And although there is no clear path to alcohol addiction, this guide will hopefully help you spot the warning signs and risk factors.

If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from alcohol use disorder, it is important to seek alcohol treatment as soon as possible.

At Step 1 Recovery, we can help you treat your addiction with detox, intensive rehab, cognitive behavioural therapy, support group sessions and counselling. Call us today or use our online contact form so that we can help you beat your addiction.