All In the Family? What Are Some Common Causes of Alcoholism?

Alcohol is widely used in our society. While most people drink alcohol in ways that do not increase the risk of alcoholism, there is still a serious percentage of consumers that have an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Although you may understand the causes of alcoholism many times it isn’t clear how we get there and why. Defining who is at risk for alcohol problems and assessing the risks is a crucial step for prevention. 

The consumption of alcohol is associated with a wide range of health and social consequences. They are both acute and chronic (e.g. alcohol dependence, live damage, traffic deaths, strokes, and cancers). 

Yet, every person is different and this makes alcohol effects be different for each individual. While some people are able to limit their drinking others have a difficult time controlling the consumption.

Oftentimes this can be presented in the form of denial. In this case, an individual is influenced by psychological maneuvers to reduce awareness of the fact that alcohol use is the cause of an individual’s problems rather than a solution. That’s why denial becomes an obstacle to recovery. 

Causes of Alcoholism 

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), in 2015 15.1 million American adults ages 18 and older had AUD. This includes 9.8 million men and 5.3 million women. 

Understanding the causes of alcoholism can give you a clear idea of how to prepare for treatment or to help someone you know. 

The effects of alcohol can be influenced by many factors such as: 

• the amount consumed 
• the individual’s medical history 
• tolerance to alcohol- as well as other drugs mixed with alcohol

1. Family History 

If you have a family member with a diagnosis of a substance use disorder increases the risk that you will be diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder. This is highly risky when the relative is a parent or a sibling. 

2. The Experience of Trauma And/Or Stress

When you experience a traumatic event or stress, it can increase the risk to use substances like alcohol and develop a dependency. According to some studies, any type of traumatic or stress related situation can increase the risk of abuse of alcohol.  

3. Subclinical Levels of Stress 

Even if your level of stress is not severe enough to be diagnosed as a formal psychological condition, it can make you turn to the abuse of alcohol. Be wary of where stress can come from and find ways to treat it.

If you know someone who may be suffering from this disease, advice them about treating it. Treatment centers, like Inspire Malibu, offer mental health and addiction treatment programs. There are many sources of information about different treatments 

4. Age of First Use

A study conducted in 2010 by the American Public Health Association, shows that making alcohol more available by reducing the minimum drinking age to 18 years can lead to an increase in drinking and related harms. This proves that the earlier a person begins drinking, the more likely it is they will continue the habit because of a high substance tolerance in the body. 

Taking Action Before It’s Too Late 

Sometimes it’s easier to walk down a difficult path if you know the consequences are fatal. Recovery processes take time and effort, but a balanced life is worth it in the end.

Learning about the causes of alcoholism now can help you make tough decisions or guide others. So keep moving forward, and one day you’ll look back to see how far you’ve come. 

Want to read more about how addiction affects your body and if you or someone you know needs an intervention? Check out these signs it’s time to seek treatment. 

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