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Alcohol Addiction Definition

Alcoholism is a serious problem. Alcoholics and other drug addicts are more likely to be involved in automobile accidents and violent crimes such as theft. Any addiction can ruin the lives not only of those who are addicted, but their friends and family as well. Understanding the many facets of this disease can help lead an alcoholic toward acceptance and the desire to get help.

  1. Definition

    • According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcoholism can be broken down into two categories. Alcohol dependency is characterized by "impaired control of drinking, compulsive drinking, preoccupation with drinking, tolerance to alcohol, and/or withdrawal symptoms." Alcohol abuse is characterized by binge drinking, drinking to the point of an inability to perform social functions, or drinking in dangerous situations.

    Developmental Causes of Alcoholism

    • A comprehensive study by Wake Forest University concluded that alcoholism is a developmental disorder. Thus, the triggers for alcoholism occur early in life. Having a "gene" for alcoholism does not doom those predisposed to a life of drinking, however. Allyson J. Bennet, Ph.D., says that alcoholism develops due to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental pressures. This means a person with a predisposition toward addiction may be raised in an environment that does not trigger addictive behavior.

    Reasons People Drink

    • The reasons people drink are varied. Some alcoholics report being introduced to alcohol as young children. They then begin binge drinking as they get older. The taboos against teenagers drinking may trigger a thrill-seeking response leading to excessive and dangerous behavior that is carried into adulthood. Many people drink as a form of anxiety relief, as a form of pleasure seeking or to combat depression.

    Effects of Alcohol on the Body

    • Sara R. Jones, Ph.D., conducted a study at Wake Forest University and found that alcohol increases both dopamine levels and, in heavy drinkers, the levels of dopamine transporters. Dopamine causes feelings of euphoria. The levels of dopamine are regulated by transporters that remove it from the system when there is either too much or it has fulfilled its function. In alcoholics the brain produces excess transporters to deal with the excess dopamine. When no alcohol is in the blood stream, however, the excess transporters continue to remove dopamine from the system, leaving alcoholics with a deficiency causing deep depression. Alcohol is then needed to elevate dopamine levels to normal and even more must be consumed to feel pleasure.

      Alcohol can cause an oxygen deficiency in the brain resulting in blackouts and brain damage. It can cause cancers of the throat and mouth, heart disease, and serious liver diseases like cirrhosis. Alcoholism can decrease a person's life expectancy by 10 to 15 years.

    Help for Alcoholics

    • There are many programs to help people overcome addiction to alcohol. Alcoholics Anonymous is the most widely known, but rehab and support centers exist all over the world. The first step to overcoming addiction is the desire to stop drinking. Recognizing the root causes of addiction and seeking the help and support of friends and family are critical to recovery as well.

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