What Causes Alcoholism

Understanding the Root Causes of Alcoholism

When someone has committed to getting treatment for alcoholism, the rehab team’s goal entails helping them find the root causes of their substance abuse. Doing so makes it easier for the person going through rehabilitation and beginning their recovery to identify triggers that may cause them to drink again. In some cases, avoiding certain situations in the future may be the key. In other instances, learning how to work through stress and deal with people, places, and things that are triggers will be valuable lessons to maintain sobriety.

What causes alcoholism can vary, and who it affects is not guided by any demographic, as the disease impacts all areas of society. There are many forms of treatment available no matter the causes of alcoholism, and rehab at WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab is tailored to each individual’s needs.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

Underlying Factors That Contribute to Alcohol Abuse and Addiction

Biological

For most people, going out for a drink or two, even frequently, causes them no harm, and they know their limits and respect them. For others, due to biological factors, including genetics and physiology, a strong impulse to keep drinking is experienced.

Since alcohol can make a person feel good, when the brain is stimulated, it results in people wanting to repeat the behavior too often, which can lead to alcoholism. In some instances, there is neurological science behind the causes of alcoholism, and research has shown that alcohol dependence may be associated with up to 51 genes in various chromosome regions.

Environmental

Advertising, proximity to drinking establishments, and income can all be environmental factors that can be causes of alcoholism. Society is inundated with advertising for alcohol in print, television, public, social media, and other online marketing.

Most areas, from small towns to major cities, have easily accessible liquor stores, bars, and restaurants, many focusing on the alcohol they offer. Both advertising and retail establishments portray alcohol consumption as usual, fun, and acceptable. Income can also be a factor, with 78% of households that take in over $75,000 per year regularly consuming alcohol.

Social Factors

Social factors, such as family, career, and college experience, can contribute to Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Often when an individual is exposed to alcoholism at a young age, the risk of following suit increases. During college and a person’s career, they can often use alcohol to integrate into a new social group. This can lead to excessive drinking and form a pattern of recurrence that steers a person towards AUD. Being wary of the early signs of socially enabled AUD can stop bad habits before they begin.

Psychological

How a person handles situations in their life, whether at home, work, or in society, is just as unique as any other part of their personality or psychological makeup. People who experience high stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions are more vulnerable to developing alcoholism. People often drink to take the edge off of many of these types of situations, and when this becomes a pattern, it can lead to AUD.

Risk Factors for Developing Alcoholism

As with the root causes of alcoholism, there are several risk factors for developing AUD as well. These include drinking at a young age, a family history of alcohol addiction, high levels of stress in various parts of an individual’s life, peer pressure, and frequent alcohol consumption over a long period.

Many people often experience more than one of these risk factors in their life, multiplying the possibility of them developing alcoholism. Engaging in frequent binge drinking at a young age, being around family members who often drink to access, being in a high-stress career field, being part of a social group that focuses their leisure time on drinking, and getting into a pattern of making drinking a part of your routine are all risk factors for developing alcoholism.

Alcohol Detox and Rehab at WhiteSands

At WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab, we take a holistic approach to alcohol detox and rehab. We know that everyone is affected differently by alcoholism, and we tailor their treatment to their individual needs. We pride ourselves on the number of options we offer our alcohol detox and rehab patients. Contact us today or visit any of our Florida locations to find out more about all of our alcohol detox and rehab services.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.