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Alcoholism Risk Factors

Alcoholism is a disease caused by addiction to alcohol. Many factors can play a role to this addiction. Steady drinking over a period time and other factors like age, genetics, emotional behaviors, and abuse can cause a person to become an alcoholic.

  1. Age

    • Age plays a strong risk factor for alcoholism. Many youths begin drinking young due to peer pressure. They want to fit in with friends and look cool. Some also begin drinking at a young age as a means of escape from abuse, depression, or stressful happenings going on in their lives.
      In older people, like the elderly they may become alcoholics without realizing it. As we get older, our bodies can't tolerate drinking like it could before. When elderly people maintain the same drinking habits as they get older, this can cause addiction to alcohol.

    Sex

    • According to the New York Times, most alcoholics tend to be men. Men who become alcoholics are more likely to become binge drinkers. However, the number of women becoming alcoholics is on the rise. This number has increased over the last 30 years.

    Abuse

    • Many people who are abused physically and sexually are at higher risk of becoming alcoholics. They don't know how to deal with the pain and often depression sets in. They feel they can't turn to anyone for help. Alcohol becomes a way of helping them cope.

    Genetics

    • ScienceDaily reported on December 11, 2008, that researchers at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center found a gene that is linked to alcoholism. This gene determines how strongly someone feels the effects of alcohol. This makes them more susceptible to alcohol abuse.
      Researchers found that the DNA variation, SNP, is found on chromosome 15. It is associated with a level of response towards alcohol and, therefore, could signal factors that make someone become an alcoholic.

    Family History

    • Alcoholism is something that can run in families. If a person is raised up in alcohol abuse, they are more likely to become alcoholics themselves, especially if both parents are addicted to alcohol. For most, who live in the environment, this is normal behavior.

    Emotional Disorders

    • Emotional disorders play a factor of alcohol abuse. People who are often depressed turn to drinking and are likely to become alcoholics. Low self-esteem is another risk factor. Anxiety can play a role as well. Many turn to alcohol as a way to self medicate so that they do not have to deal with these emotional issues.

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