The Main Risk Factors and Causes Of Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a debilitating illness that can affect all areas of your life. There are many potential causes of alcoholism – with the main cause being excessive drinking. However, alcoholism rarely has just one causal factor – instead, there are a variety of different causes to consider.
Here, we explore the main risk factors and causes of alcohol addiction, as well as the potential warning signs. We can ensure you receive the treatment you need to overcome your addiction and embrace sobriety.
Warning Signs of Alcoholism
Alcoholism can develop quickly, and you may not realise the extent of your problem until it’s too late. Knowing and understanding the warning signs can help you to identify these signs early on, before it progresses into severe dependence.
Here are some key indicators that may suggest a developing alcohol addiction:
- Increased Tolerance – this is when your body adapts to the presence of alcohol, meaning you need to drink more alcohol to feel the same effects
- Withdrawal Symptoms – feeling shaky, anxious, or nauseous when you stop drinking
- Loss of Control Over Your Drinking – drinking more than intended or being unable to stop despite wanting to
- Neglecting Responsibilities – prioritising drinking over other responsibilities such as work or family
- Cravings – strong urges or thoughts about drinking alcohol
- Risky Behavior – engaging in dangerous activities while intoxicated – for example, driving under the influence
- Health Problems – alcohol abuse can lead to various health issues, such as liver damage, digestive problems, and increased risk of accidents or injuries
- Denial – not understanding the extent of your problem and continuing to drink alcohol
Recognising these warning signs early on can allow for early intervention, meaning you get support as soon as you need it.
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Risk Factors for Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction is often caused by a variety of factors and rarely has just one cause. Anybody can develop an addiction to alcohol or other substances – but certain factors can increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorders.
From social and psychological influences to environmental factors and genetics, here are some of the main risk factors for alcoholism.
1 - Genetics
If your parents have a problem with alcoholism, or you have a family history of alcohol abuse, then you may be more likely to develop alcoholism. Certain genes that increase the risk have been identified – ADH1B and ALDH2.
However, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), genes are responsible for around 50% of the risk of alcohol use disorder.
This suggests that some people have a genetic predisposition to developing alcoholism – but genes alone do not determine whether you will develop AUD – other factors account for the risk too.
Genetics may only increase the risk, whereas your choices, experiences, and other environmental factors can determine whether you will or will not develop an alcohol addiction.
2 - Environmental and Social Factors
Certain environmental influences and psychosocial factors can be huge risk factors for developing alcoholism.
Traumatic life experiences (for example, sexual abuse or bereavement) can increase the risk of developing a substance addiction. This is because some people turn to alcohol to relieve unpleasant emotions. However, doing this over time will only exacerbate the problem.
Social and cultural factors such as peer pressure and underage drinking may also contribute to the risk. Peer pressure is thought to increase engagement in binge drinking and alcohol abuse, which can ultimately lead to addiction.
Likewise, whether you’re a child or a young adult, if you grew up in an environment where excessive drinking is common, you may develop the belief that this behaviour is normal, and go on to do it yourself.
Children become aware of their parent’s drinking habits from an early age – and how often, how much, or where their parents drink seems to influence their own drinking behaviour. In fact, children of alcoholics are four times more likely to develop alcoholism.
3 - Substance Abuse History
Addiction history is an important factor to consider. If you have a history of frequent alcohol consumption and heavy drinking, then you are more at risk of developing alcoholism.
Likewise, having a history of addiction, whether it be to alcohol, prescription drugs, illicit drugs, or nicotine, you may be more likely to develop alcohol use disorder.
This could be because the reasons that you turned to the substance remain the same – whether it be trauma, mental health, or other factors.
Your drinking history also plays a part in the risk of developing AUD, including your alcohol tolerance. If you’ve been drinking for a long time, you are much more likely to become an alcoholic. However, if you’ve not been drinking for a long time, then the risk is considered low.
Ultimately, the general rule of thumb is that the more alcohol you drink, the more likely you are to develop an alcohol problem.
4 - Stress and Mental Health
Stress and your general mental health can affect your alcohol consumption. For example, people with post-traumatic stress disorder may be more likely to drink alcohol to relieve the negative symptoms associated with the illness. Although stress is thought to increase a person’s alcohol consumption, there are many other complexities involved with developing AUD.
Early-life stressors (for example, child abuse), can have long-term consequences, and lead to changes in drinking behaviour. Likewise, traumatic events can also contribute to the risk.
Psychological factors such as anxiety and other mental health conditions can also play a part in the development of AUD.
For example, if you have a history of low mood or depression, you may be more likely to drink alcohol. However, this works both ways – excessive alcohol consumption can increase the chances of developing depression.
Another mental health condition linked to alcoholism is bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder and alcoholism frequently co-occur – however, the reasons for this aren’t completely clear at the moment, and more research is needed to determine the precise links.
Borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders have all been linked to alcoholism, with the illnesses co-occurring.
Having an alcohol problem and a mental health disorder is known as dual-diagnosis. If you have a dual diagnosis, it’s important that you receive the right treatment that not only treats your addiction but improves your mental health too.
5 - Underage Drinking
Drinking at an early age could pose a greater risk of developing an alcohol addiction later in life. Young brains are still developing, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of alcohol.
Experimenting with alcohol during adolescence can alter your brain chemistry, increasing the risk of developing dependency in adulthood.
Teenagers may lack the maturity and experience to handle alcohol responsibly, leading to risky behaviours like binge drinking. Excessive alcohol consumption can set the stage for future alcohol abuse and addiction.
Likewise, early exposure to alcohol may normalise its use, making it easier to develop problematic drinking habits as you get older.
Help for Alcohol Addiction
If you think that you have an alcohol problem, or you’re worried that you spend a lot if time drinking, it’s important that you address the problem before it escalates.
At Help4Addiction, we have helped countless people with alcohol use disorder overcome their addiction. We can find you the right treatment provider – whether you have a specific treatment centre or specific treatment provider in mind, or you need help choosing, we can give you professional treatment advice.
Some people prefer to attend rehab on an inpatient basis at a residential rehab centre. Residential rehab is where you reside in a facility for some time and receive treatment there.
Others, on the other hand, prefer outpatient rehab – where you live at home and travel to a clinic regularly to receive treatment. If you have a severe dependence on alcohol, it’s generally recommended that you undergo inpatient rehab.
If your alcohol addiction is severe, you may be best completing a medical detox. During medical detox, you may be offered detox medication to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Detoxification aims at dealing with physical addiction, whereas therapy focuses on the psychological, social, and behavioural aspects of alcohol use disorder.
Some common forms of therapy in alcohol rehab include CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), group therapy, or counselling. You may meet with psychologists to discuss your well-being and learn valuable and effective coping skills.
Upon completing rehab, you won’t be left alone to return to your everyday life. Secondary care aims at providing you with ongoing support, ultimately aiming to prevent relapse.
Contact our friendly team of addiction experts today to start your alcohol recovery journey, and start your sober life.
About Author
Nicholas Conn
Nicholas Conn is a leading industry addiction expert who runs the UK’s largest addiction advisory service and is regularly featured in the national press, radio and TV. He is the founder and CEO of a drug and alcohol rehab center called Help4addiction, which was founded in 2015. He has been clean himself since 2009 and has worked in the Addiction and Rehab Industry for over a decade. Nick is dedicated to helping others recover and get treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. In 2013, he released a book ‘The Thin White’ line that is available on Amazon.
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