Causes of Alcoholism
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), or more commonly known as alcoholism, can stem from several factors. After a long period of excessive alcohol consumption, your brain starts to depend on alcohol to produce and process certain chemicals. This is what makes it challenging for heavy alcohol drinkers to quit and can lead to uncomfortable physical as well as behavioral withdrawal symptoms.
Several of the most prevalent causes and risk factors of alcoholism include genetic factors, environmental factors, psychological factors, and social factors. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how each factor plays its role in the development of alcoholism.
Biological Factors
Research has shown a close connection between biological factors and alcoholism, particularly physiology and genetics. While some people can limit alcohol consumption, others feel a strong desire to keep going. For some individuals, alcohol provides feelings of pleasure that encourages the brain to repeat the task (consume more alcohol). Repetitive behavior can make a person more vulnerable to develop alcoholism.
There are also specific neurochemicals in the brain that can cause your body to be more susceptible to alcohol abuse. For example, scientists have shown that alcohol dependence is associated with more than 50 genes in various regions of the chromosome. If these genes are inherited through generations, most of the family members will be much more prone to develop alcoholism.