Alcohol use disorder Symptoms and causes
Our compassionate team has helped thousands recover through personalized treatment plans focused on long-term sobriety. Reach out to Avenues Recovery today to take the first step toward a healthier, sober life. Income and work also have an impact on the development of alcoholism, with unemployment being strongly related to AUD. Not only do these environmental factors serve as triggers for alcoholism, but they are exacerbated as well by the alcoholism itself.
Family History
They can simultaneously help treat any co-occurring mental Sober living house health issues. Above, we mentioned how science tells us that alcoholism is indeed a medical condition. However, a person who has not yet developed a biological dependence on alcohol may still choose to drink maladaptively despite being aware of warning signs or personal risk factors. On both a genetic and environmental level, family history can contribute to alcoholism. Research has shown that the two genes ADH1B and ALDH2, which control alcohol metabolism, are key factors in developing alcoholism along with several others. Whether at home, at work, or in any other environment that causes stress, some people will have a drink to unwind and relax.
Stressful Life Events
Research from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) suggests genetic factors for alcohol use disorder contribute to 50% of individuals developing AUD. Individuals with a family history of alcoholism are more likely to develop AUD themselves compared to those without such a history. However, genetics alone do not determine alcoholism; environmental factors and lifestyle choices also play a crucial role. Prolonged mental health conditions are a common risk for developing drinking habits. Alcoholics resort to binge drinking as a way to escape stress, mask their depression, or relieve anxiety. Mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder significantly increase the risk of alcoholism.
How Drugs That Block Opiate Effects Work
If you have bipolar disorder, then you have a higher chance of being an alcoholic. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. Sometimes people drink alcohol to self-medicate for another issue.
Environmental Factors that Cause Alcoholism
In Colorado, where The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake is located, the prevalence of past-year alcohol use disorder was 14.6% (or 86,000 people) in 2019. This rate is higher than both the regional average (11.7%) and the national average (9.8%). The structure of our day disappears, boredom creeps in, and we might be tempted to drown it all in the bottle. And even if we realize we’re sliding into the alcohol trap, we might find ourselves without access to much-needed mental health resources that could offer support. Instead of relying on alcohol to numb their pain, they can instead act to replace those pain points in their lives with better decisions.
As we’ll discover here, AUD is more often caused by a complex interplay of multiple factors. So let’s dig in and explore the entwined roots of AUD to help us on our journey to cut back or quit drinking. If your pattern of drinking results why do people become alcoholics in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important. Beyond these symptoms, drinking alone is also a major warning sign.
- Increased tolerance also plays a significant role in the development of alcoholism.
- The structure of our day disappears, boredom creeps in, and we might be tempted to drown it all in the bottle.
- If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder.
- Income and work also have an impact on the development of alcoholism, with unemployment being strongly related to AUD.
- Young adults aged represent the highest rates of alcohol use disorder, with approximately one in seven affected.
Increased Drinking Behaviors Over Time
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options. But for many, alcohol provides a sort of cheat code to dopamine. It is the easy way in — especially if their brains don’t produce as much dopamine as they should.
Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped. People with the condition may not fully understand AUD and what causes alcoholism, so seeking out a professional opinion and treatment options is always recommended to limit the risks. Research shows that loud music in bars can increase alcohol consumption by as much as 31%. It raises arousal levels and makes conversation difficult, leading people to order more drinks instead of engaging in conversation.