Why Do People Become Addicted to Alcohol? Understanding the Physical and Psychological Factors of Alcohol Addiction

Excess alcohol use changes the brain’s ability to experience pleasure, exercise judgment, and control impulses. More specifically, drinking too much alcohol. If you or someone you know is dealing with an alcohol use disorder (AUD), treatment options are available.

The idea that someone is suffering from ‘alcoholism’ (and is ‘once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic’) has been enshrined since the 1930s in the work of Alcoholics Anonymous. At that time, it was certainly a much more compassionate idea than the widespread belief that heavy drinkers were weak or immoral. The idea of ‘alcoholism’ as a disease first grew in the 19th century.

Stress and Alcohol Addiction

It activates reward circuits in the brain, leading to a feeling of euphoria, which can be habit-forming. Alcohol has multiple effects on the body and mind that can become addictive. Stress relief and emotional regulation are the most common factors that make alcohol addictive. The brain’s reward and stress circuits are responsible for this effect, relying on neurons and neurotransmitters to regulate electrochemical signals. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Why Is Alcohol Addictive? Unraveling the Grip of Alcohol Addiction

Research has shown that there is a genetic component to alcohol addiction. One of the psychological reasons behind alcohol addiction is its ability to provide temporary relief from stress and emotional pain. With continued alcohol does gabapentin help you sleep use, the brain adapts to the presence of alcohol and becomes less responsive to its effects. Others experiencing alcohol problems find terms like ‘alcoholic’ and ‘alcoholism’ (or ‘addict’ and ‘addiction’) unhelpful. Like ‘addiction’, ‘alcoholism’ is a term that stirs up a lot of debate.

Alcohol addiction is not solely determined by genetics. Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance, with tobacco coming in second, with just over 57 million users. This is just one of the pathways by which alcohol is addictive. This means the usual doses will not provide the same effects, and increased amounts will be needed to feel the sensation of being drunk.

Often, individuals in the throes of addiction are in denial or unaware of the extent of their issue. Over time, these changes can impair cognitive function, decision-making, and impulse control. Understanding one’s family history can be crucial in recognizing and addressing this risk. Alcohol can provide a temporary reprieve, but over time, it can exacerbate these issues and lead to a vicious cycle of self-medication. Alcohol affects the central nervous system by depressing its activity, which leads to a range of effects, including relaxation, euphoria, and decreased inhibitions. Understanding why alcohol is addictive is essential in addressing this widespread problem.

Let’s break down the cycle that leads to alcohol addiction. Over time, this leads to a higher tolerance and changes the brain’s ability to experience pleasure. This overloads the pleasure centers of the brain, altering the way people experience their feelings. For some people, their brains release more of these chemicals and neurotransmitters than average, making the experience that much better for them.

It is an unhealthy coping mechanism that leads to addiction. Alcohol is an easy coping mechanism for people who already have mental illnesses that disrupt their lives. This stage either discourages excess alcohol use or encourages addiction. You’re having fun with your friends and everyone is drinking. Instead, the more you drink, the higher your chances of becoming addicted to alcohol become. Once the brain has experienced that kind of overload to its pleasure centers, how it experiences dopamine changes.

• Many factors may contribute to the timeline and presentation of alcohol addiction.
• But as you continue to drink, you become drowsy and have less control over your actions.
• Binge drinking is alcohol consumption in which a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds 0.08%.
• 12 These symptoms can be part of a potentially life-threatening condition called delirium tremens (DTs).

Day Inpatient Rehab Programs in Missouri

From 1971 to 2011, alcohol advertising increased by more than 400% in the United States.12 People drink because their friends, coworkers, and family are too. It does this by slowing the release and response to normal brain neurotransmitters. It suppresses the central nervous system (CNS), slowing normal brain function. It can result in long-lasting changes in brain structure and function.3 Alcoholism also affects the brain’s “reward center” and produces pleasurable sensations (such as anxiety reduction) when consumed.

Can You Die From Heroin Withdrawal?

People prone to alcoholism may have a genetic predisposition, mental health issues, or be in an environment that encourages drinking. The Recovery Village Kansas City offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. There is a strong link between alcohol dependence or addiction and mental health disorders.

The first step in overcoming alcohol addiction is recognizing that a problem exists. The brain becomes increasingly reliant on alcohol to function, reinforcing why is alcohol addictive. Some individuals may become addicted after a relatively short period of heavy drinking, while others may take years to develop a severe dependence. Individuals with a family history of alcoholism are at a higher risk of developing the condition themselves.

To achieve the same pleasurable feelings as before, individuals may find themselves drinking more and more. This surge in dopamine is what makes alcohol consumption feel pleasurable and reinforces the desire to drink more. Believing that problems with alcohol only happen to certain people who are ‘alcoholics’ or ‘addicts’ can be a convenient way to brush aside what may be quite serious alcohol issues in our own lives.

Environmental Factors and Alcohol Addiction

Not everyone who binges drinks has an AUD but is at a higher risk of developing one. For women, this means drinking more than four drinks in 2 hours.11 For men, this means drinking more than five drinks in 2 hours.

How is Alcohol Addictive & How Does it Affect the Brain?

But for many, alcohol provides a sort of cheat code to dopamine. Dopamine rewards you for completing tasks and doing things like exercising by releasing into your brain and creating a sense of joy or accomplishment. The brain craves dopamine because it is a natural part of the brain’s chemistry. Alcohol releases more dopamine and endorphins into the brain than normal. One drink does not make someone an addict.

What is considered 1 drink?

Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person. Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking that’s sometimes called alcoholism. These feelings can motivate some people to drink alcohol again and again, despite possible risks to their health and well-being. Recognizing these health risks can encourage people to take the steps necessary to stop excessive drinking.

• This results in the brain relying on alcohol to operate normally.
• To achieve the same pleasurable feelings as before, individuals may find themselves drinking more and more.
• How long it takes to develop an alcohol addiction differs for every person.
• Although there is very little scientific basis for it, it is an idea that has helped millions of people to turn their lives around.
• If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder.

Stress can be even more challenging for people with a mental health condition and may lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as drinking excessively. Over time, a person may develop a dependence, so they need alcohol just to function because they experience withdrawal when not under the influence. The timeline for developing alcohol addiction varies from person to person. Heavy drinking over a long period of time can leave the body needing alcohol every day, and if the drinker attempts to stop suddenly they may experience sweating, shaking and nausea, and may even go into shock and die.

Studies show that adolescents who have been exposed to substances multiple times before age 15 are 2-3 times more likely than adolescents who have no early exposure to substances to be substance dependent by age 32.11 Many individuals begin using alcohol due to social influence in their peer group. The influence of your social circle can affect you at any age and studies show prefrontal reactions that affect executive functioning—including decision-making—when in the presence of a loved one who has a substance use disorder.8 The neurochemical effects of alcohol not only make alcohol use feel good, but can encourage repeated use of alcohol.

Impact on your safety

Misuse of alcohol— when a fetus is still in utero or during someone’s adolescence and early adulthood—can alter the brain’s development. A person with an addiction has a compulsion to perform a behavior that they know is harmful. The feeling of needing to consume a substance is called dependency, which can quickly develop into addiction.