Many people casually drink alcohol, whether it’s a glass of wine with their dinner or a drink in a bar with friends, and enjoy it responsibly. They do not get drunk, drive under the influence or become dependent on alcohol. But sadly, this is not the case for everyone.
There are millions of people out there who suffer from alcohol use disorder; they can’t control their drinking, and their lives are ultimately destroyed by alcohol.
This begs the question, why do people keep drinking even when they know that it is having such negative effects on their lives and leading to serious health problems? Or, to put it another way, why is alcohol addictive?
Find out what you need to know in this article.
What Is the Psychology Behind Alcohol Addiction?
To understand why someone might develop an addiction to alcohol, we need to explore how alcohol affects the brain, emotions, and behaviours individually.
Alcohol and the Brain’s Reward System
The brain’s reward system is responsible for making us feel good when we do things that are essential for survival, like eating or socialising.
When we drink alcohol, it triggers the release of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that makes us feel pleasure. This dopamine rush makes the brain associate drinking with feeling good, which is why people are tempted to drink again and again. Over time, the brain can start to crave the pleasure that alcohol brings, leading to a desire to drink more often or in larger amounts.
Escapism
Many people turn to alcohol to escape unpleasant feelings and emotions such as stress, anxiety, loneliness, or sadness.
Alcohol is often seen as a quick fix to relax or forget about problems, even if it’s just temporarily. This emotional reliance can lead to a cycle where someone drinks every time they feel upset – reinforcing the habit and deepening the addiction.
Unfortunately, although alcohol might numb emotions for a short period, it often worsens mental health in the long term. This creates a stronger urge to drink to cope.
Psychological Dependence
Psychological dependence is when a person starts to believe they need alcohol to function normally or feel okay.
This isn’t just about physical cravings but rather a mindset where alcohol becomes almost a crutch for dealing with life’s challenges.
Over time, people may start to believe they can’t socialise, relax, or sleep without drinking. This psychological attachment to alcohol can make quitting feel overwhelming because it’s not just about stopping drinking – it’s also about confronting the underlying fears and emotions that alcohol has been masking.
Learned Behaviour and Environment
Our environment and experiences play a huge role in shaping our relationship with alcohol.
For example, if someone grows up in a household or culture where heavy drinking is the norm, they may learn to view alcohol as a normal part of life or a necessary way to handle stress or celebrate. If friends or family members are also of the same mindset, there may be peer pressure or a sense of belonging attached to drinking. These social and environmental factors can contribute to how alcohol addiction develops and also persists.
Personality Traits and Mental Health Conditions
Certain personality traits and mental health conditions can also make someone more prone to alcohol addiction.
For example, people who are impulsive or who have trouble controlling their emotions might be more likely to turn to alcohol as a way to deal with their feelings. Those who suffer from mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or trauma may also use alcohol as a way to self-medicate, which can easily spiral into addiction.
Tolerance and Increased Use
As a person drinks more consistently, their body and brain begin to develop tolerance. This means that they need to drink more to get the same effects.
This gradual increase in alcohol use can deepen psychological dependence because the individual feels the need to drink more often or in larger quantities to feel the way they used to with smaller amounts. This pattern of increasing consumption can also increase guilt and shame, creating a harmful cycle where the person drinks to escape these negative emotions.
What Are the Physiological Factors that Contribute to an Alcohol Addiction Developing?
Alcohol addiction isn’t just about psychology. It also involves several physiological (physical) factors that play a significant role in how a person becomes dependent on alcohol.
Alcohol’s Effect on the Brain
Alcohol directly affects the brain’s chemistry. When you drink alcohol, it alters the balance of chemicals in the brain that control how you feel and think.
One key chemical, dopamine, as mentioned earlier, is involved in pleasure and reward. Alcohol increases the release of dopamine, making the brain associate drinking with feeling good. Over time, this creates a physical craving because the brain starts to rely on alcohol to release this pleasure chemical.
Additionally, alcohol affects the neurotransmitter GABA, which helps slow down brain activity and produces feelings of calm and relaxation. Over time, as the brain becomes accustomed to alcohol’s effects, it starts to produce less GABA naturally, meaning the person needs to drink more to achieve the same calming effects. This is part of how tolerance develops.
Real & Significant Changes in Brain Structure
Chronic alcohol use can actually change the structure of the brain. Long-term drinking damages areas of the brain responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and judgment.
This can make it harder for a person to resist the urge to drink, even when they know it’s harmful. It also affects memory, making it difficult for individuals to remember the negative consequences of their drinking, which in turn makes them more likely to repeat harmful behaviours.
Genetics and Family History
Genetics play a huge role in the development of alcohol addiction. Research shows that people with a family history of alcoholism are more likely to develop an addiction themselves.
While no single “alcoholism gene” has been identified, a combination of genetic factors can make someone more vulnerable to the addictive effects of alcohol. This is because certain individuals may have inherited brain chemistry that makes them more sensitive to the pleasure alcohol produces or more prone to feeling withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking.
Alcohol Tolerance and Dependence
When a person drinks regularly over a period of time, their body starts to develop a tolerance to alcohol.
This means they need to consume larger amounts of alcohol to feel the same effects they once did with smaller quantities. Tolerance is a clear sign that the body is adjusting to regular alcohol use, and it often leads to increased drinking.
Over time, this tolerance can turn into physical dependence, where the body needs alcohol to function normally. If the person stops drinking, they may experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, sweating, nausea, and even seizures in severe cases. These withdrawal symptoms can make quitting alcohol extremely difficult, as the body is now physically dependent on it.
Alcohol’s Impact on the Liver and Other Organs
Alcohol is processed by the liver, and heavy, long-term drinking can damage this organ.
The liver becomes less efficient at breaking down alcohol, meaning more alcohol stays in the bloodstream longer. Over time, this can lead to serious health problems like fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and even liver failure.
As the liver becomes damaged, it can affect the body’s overall ability to handle alcohol, which can further worsen addiction. Additionally, chronic alcohol use affects other organs, including the heart, pancreas, and stomach, which can create a range of health issues that worsen as drinking continues.
Withdrawal Symptoms
When someone becomes physically dependent on alcohol, stopping drinking can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms range from mild (such as anxiety, headaches, or sweating) to severe (like tremors, seizures, or delirium tremens, a potentially fatal condition).
The fear of experiencing these painful withdrawal symptoms often keeps people drinking, even when they want to stop. The body becomes so reliant on alcohol that it reacts negatively when alcohol levels drop, reinforcing the cycle of addiction.
Hormonal Imbalances
Chronic alcohol use can also disrupt the body’s hormones. Alcohol affects the production of hormones that regulate stress, mood, and energy levels.
For example, it can increase cortisol, the stress hormone, leading to higher levels of anxiety and depression, which, in turn, may drive more drinking. Additionally, alcohol can interfere with insulin regulation, affecting blood sugar levels, which can lead to fatigue, irritability, and cravings for more alcohol.
Why Is Alcohol More Addictive for Some People?
People drink for a variety of reasons, and most people can drink in moderation. They can have a glass or two of wine or a couple of beers when they go out in the evening without becoming addicted, but other people can’t control their drinking, and when they start, they can’t stop. So why is alcohol addictive for some people and not for others?
There are several factors that play a role in determining who becomes addicted to alcohol, including genetics and environmental influences. There is a definite link between genetics and alcoholism, and children of alcoholics are at higher risk of developing alcohol addiction.
But they may also become alcoholics because of the environment in which they have been raised or because of their family or community’s attitude towards heavy drinking. Mental health disorders, stress, and trauma can also contribute to alcohol and drug abuse. Your susceptibility to alcoholism is typically determined by a combination of genetic, mental health and environmental factors.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Alcoholism
Understanding why alcohol is addictive can make you more aware of your drinking patterns and help you spot the early warning signs of alcohol dependence, but it is also important to be able to recognise the symptoms of alcoholism.
Common signs and symptoms of alcoholism include:
- You need to consume larger and larger amounts of alcohol to feel the effects.
- You need to drink to get through the day, and/or you constantly think about drinking.
- You need to drink to feel comfortable in social situations and interact with people.
- You can’t control your drinking; you won’t just have one drink, and once you start drinking, you drink heavily and find it difficult to stop.
- You have blackouts when you drink heavily.
- You drink alone, conceal the amount you drink and lie to your friends and family about your drinking habits.
- Your drinking is having a negative effect on your relationships with friends, family, and co-workers.
- Your drinking is having a bad influence on your career and work performance.
- Your drinking has endangered your life or the lives of others.
- You are experiencing financial or legal trouble due to drinking.
- You experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking.
- You drink even when you intend to stay sober, and you have tried but failed to stop drinking or control your drinking habits.
Worried About Alcohol? Reach Out for Support Today
Having an understanding of both the mental and physical factors of alcoholism is essential, especially when it comes to finding effective ways to address and treat this condition.
Alcohol is addictive, and alcoholism is a debilitating disease, but there are treatment options and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous that can help you overcome your alcohol dependence.
If you’re worried about a loved one or your own alcohol consumption, call the Rehab Clinics Group today on 03301596494 for advice and support.