There are many things that could trigger alcohol addiction including depression, trauma, PTSD or even simply developing bad habits which get out of control. While an alcohol dependence is typically influenced by a number of genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors, there are several risk factors which could make one person more vulnerable to addiction compared to someone else with similar drinking habits.
You drink too much
The process of becoming addicted to alcohol is typically gradual. Drinking too much or too often will eventually start to change the normal balance of chemicals and nerve tracks in the brain. These changes increase the pleasurable feelings you get when you drink and this makes you want to consume alcohol more often, even if it’s causing harm.
For this reason, men are advised not to consume more than 15 alcoholic drinks per week and women no more than 12. Binge drinking (more than five drinks per day) has also been known to increase the risk of developing an alcohol addiction.
Alcoholism runs in your family
It has long been suspected that alcohol addiction runs in families but research carried out a few years ago specifically identified the DNA network which makes certain people more vulnerable to alcohol dependency than others.
The researchers who carried out the study at Texas University in the USA compared the brain tissue of alcoholics with that of non-alcoholics. It was here they discovered a specific set of genes which are responsible for alcohol dependency because this DNA was only found in those suffering from alcoholism. The discovery has even led scientists to warn that whether we fall victim to alcoholism really could be determined by our genes.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) also warns that the risk of addiction increases for those who have parents who currently or have previously abused drugs or alcohol. Their warning follows research which claims to have found that the children of parents with addiction issues are between 45 and 79 percent more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol compared to the general population.
You suffer from mental illness
Sadly, it’s common for people with mental health disorders to turn to alcohol or other substances as a coping mechanism. Naturally, this puts them at high risk of developing a dependency which means that they’re more likely to need alcohol addiction treatment.
According to various sources, one of the main reasons for this is because many people who suffer from mental illness attempt to self-medicate with drugs and/or alcohol in an effort to numb the painful symptoms of the likes of depression and bipolar disorder. This often leads to a vicious cycle because drugs and alcohol can actually exacerbate symptoms and leave sufferers feeling even more anxious, depressed, demotivated or irritable than they did before.
You’re in a high-powered job
There’s a common misconception that addiction is more likely to affect those who are less educated and who come from a poorer background. Many alcoholics do in fact have very highly-paid jobs and maintain successful careers.
Professionals from bankers and doctors to lawyers and CEOs have fallen victim to substance abuse and it’s thought that the stress, isolation and failed relationships that are so often associated with these occupations could play a huge part in this.
Studies have also revealed that children who have higher IQs are more likely to use psychoactive drugs such as marijuana, heroin and cocaine in their later years. One theory for this is that smarter people can intellectualize their drug use – which is different from rationalization and denial.
If you would like help with alcohol addiction in Toronto, please contact us in the strictest of confidence and we will be more than happy to help.
