Addiction is complex and while we do know that it can affect absolutely anybody, one of the most common questions we hear is ‘why do some people become addicted to alcohol while others don’t?’.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has highlighted some of the most common risk factors which could play a part in alcohol addiction causes.
A parent is an alcoholic
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the risk of addiction increases for those who are the children of alcoholics. This is more than likely because our environment makes up a large part of addiction risk.
Say for example both you and your mother are alcoholics. Chances are that you developed the disease because you grew up around alcohol and copied your mother’s behaviors as children often do.
It might be genetic
While there is no definitive proof that our genes definitely do or do not play a part in whether we’re more likely to become an alcoholic, there is evidence to suggest that it could play a factor.
Some studies suggest that 50-60% of addiction is due to genetic factors and others have found that a child is eight times more likely to develop an addiction if a parent has a drug or alcohol problem.
Research also shows that children whose parents abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely to try these substances which put them at higher risk of developing addictive behavior.
There is no absolute concrete evidence to suggest that a person’s genetic makeup alone is enough to make them suffer from an addiction however.
Mental illness
People who suffer from bipolar disorder, depression and other mental illnesses are more likely to abuse substances which put them at a higher risk of developing an addiction.
One of the main reasons for this is because many people who suffer from mental illness try to self-medicate with alcohol in an effort to numb the painful symptoms associated with them. Sadly, this often leads to a vicious cycle because alcohol can in fact worsen symptoms and leave people feeling even more anxious, depressed, demotivated or irritable.
Successful careers which are highly pressured
Contrary to popular belief, many alcoholics are highly-paid, skilled and successful professionals. Everyone from bankers and doctors to lawyers and CEOs have fallen victim to alcohol abuse and it’s thought that the stress, isolation and failed relationships that are so often associated with these occupations could play a big part.
Highly successful professionals may also be too afraid to seek help for alcohol addiction because they’re worried about what people might think of them or that they might lose their job.
Sensitive people
Research has suggested that people who are more sensitive to stimulants and the effects of alcohol and drugs are at a higher risk of developing an addiction. A study carried out in 2012 also found that those with ‘negative emotionality’ have higher rates of drug abuse. This is a personality trait that dictates how frequently or intensely people experience unpleasant emotions such as anger, stress or sadness.
One theory surrounding alcohol addiction diagnosis is that people who suffer from unpleasant emotionality are more likely to turn to alcohol for relief, escapism or comfort.
Addiction is a condition
The first time we try a drug, many of us will argue this is ‘free choice’. While this is of course true, the progression of brain changes which occur after drug use weakens the circuits in the prefrontal cortex. This is the very thing that’s necessary for exerting self-control and resisting temptation.
The problem is that because alcohol consumption is so commonplace, it means that every time we drink, we become more and more susceptible to alcoholism. Unfortunately, by the time an addiction has taken hold, the ability for a person to stop engaging in that behavior is greatly diminished.
If you think that you or someone you know could benefit from alcohol addiction therapy Toronto, please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to help.
