Alcoholism Causes and Risk Factors
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If you or your loved one is struggling with alcoholism, you know how much it impacts your life. Fortunately, treatment at PCP – The Perry Clayman Project can help you to take steps towards healing from alcohol use disorder (AUD) and moving forward with your life. However, understanding alcoholism causes and risk factors can help you to gain clarity on why you are struggling with alcohol addiction. It will provide you with a better understanding of what has influenced your challenges with alcoholism and what you can do about it both now and in the future.
Alcoholism Causes and Risk Factors
AUD can develop due to a variety of factors, including biological, environmental, social, and psychological. However, alcoholism can also be the result of how these factors interact, and you likely struggle with alcoholism due to a unique combination of these parts of your life.
Biological
The biological factors that influence alcoholism include both genetics and how the brain reacts to alcohol. Additionally, if you are struggling with AUD, your genetics may also play a role in how your brain reacts to alcohol. Therefore, the biological component involved in alcoholism is not as simple as inheriting the “alcoholism gene.”
According to research, genetics play an important role in your likelihood of struggling with alcoholism. There are a variety of genes involved. For example, many individuals of Asian descent carry a gene that creates flushing and increased heart rate with the consumption of alcohol. As a result, these individuals tend to avoid alcohol, and therefore, it protects them from developing AUD. Additionally, other genes increase the brain’s reaction to alcohol, making it more pleasurable to drink, and making it more likely for a person to drink alcohol.
When you drink alcohol, your brain releases hormones and neurotransmitters that make you feel good. They do this by hijacking the pleasure centres of the brain that are designed to encourage healthy behaviours such as reproduction, exercise, and eating. However, alcohol causes a greater reaction when compared to these other activities, making it biologically more important to do. In addition, when you become physically dependent on alcohol, the brain sends out signals that indicate panic and anxiety. Therefore, you are more likely to drink to feel good and avoid feeling bad.
Environmental
The environment that you live in and interact in has a significant difference in your risk of developing AUD. There are many factors of your environment that play a role, including alcohol establishments, advertising, and proximity to alcohol use in your life.
Alcohol is very prevalent in our society. Therefore, it is likely that you spend time in environments where alcohol is advertised. When you spend a significant amount of time believing that alcohol use is normal, it is easy to slowly increase the way you use alcohol in your life. For example, advertising may lead you to believe that after a stressful day, the solution is to have a drink. This belief can contribute to many issues, including AUD.
Social
Growing up or living in an environment where others are abusing alcohol impacts you. As you watch others abuse alcohol, it is common to follow suit. Mirroring others’ behaviours is commonly a way to fit in, and you may receive peer pressure from loved ones or others in your social groups. As a result, the social setting and beliefs around alcohol in those social settings impact your risk of abusing alcohol and developing AUD.
Psychological
As a legal substance, alcohol is commonly used as a way to feel good. Therefore, when you are feeling bad, you might consider having a drink to lift your mood, relieve stress, or decrease symptoms of mental health challenges you are facing. These behaviours may help you to feel better in the moment and in the short term. However, over time, the continued abuse of alcohol creates physical dependence and results in alcoholism. Therefore, stress and mental health conditions can both play a role in the development of AUD.
Risk Factors for Alcoholism
There are many risk factors for developing alcoholism. Understanding these risk factors is important. However, being at risk does not mean you will develop alcoholism. When you are aware of your risk, you can seek help to help yourself heal and move forward. Risk factors for alcoholism include:
- Drinking from an early age
- Family history of alcoholism or drug abuse
- High stress
- Peer pressure or family pressure to drink
- Consistently frequent alcohol consumption
- Drinking large amounts of alcohol over a long period of time
Getting Help When You're Struggling with Alcoholism
When you are at a high risk of developing alcoholism, it is important to seek support. Support will help give you clarity about your risk factors and alcoholism in general. You may find yourself avoiding the warning signs. However, when you overcome the fear of asking for help, you can move forward with your life. Speaking with the team at PCP – The Perry Clayman Project can help you understand if you are experiencing warning signs. You will have access to resources and a care team that can help you heal and not waste another day.
Alcoholism is a disease that will impact every facet of your life, and when you understand the causes and risk factors, you can build skills to heal. To learn more about alcoholism, your unique risk factors, and how to build skills to help yourself, call PCP – The Perry Clayman Project today at 08000 380 480.