Men & Alcoholism

Over 17 percent of men will face alcohol dependence in their lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This is in comparison with only eight percent of women. Men who drink more than two alcoholic beverages per day or more than five drinks on one occasion while binge drinking are at risk for alcohol dependence. Alcoholism in men can lead to cancer, stroke, reproductive failure and death. Other consequences of alcoholism arise from lack of inhibition, aggression and motor vehicle accidents (see Reference 1).

Definition of Alcoholism

• Men who consume more than two drinks per day or more than five drinks on one occasion while binge drinking are at risk for alcoholism, according to The Centers for Disease Control. However, not everyone who abuses alcohol is alcohol dependent. Alcoholism is defined as the intense and constant craving of alcohol, preoccupation with alcohol, having an unusually high tolerance for alcohol and lacking the ability to stop drinking alcohol once a person begins. Physical withdrawal in the form of shaking or nausea will also occur if an alcoholic attempts to abstain from alcohol.

Genetic Factors

• Men who have a family history of alcoholism have a higher incidence of alcoholism than men who do not, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Genes are said to represent 50 percent of the root cause of alcoholism and DNA variations are also believed to contribute to the disease. While men are more likely to abuse alcohol if there is a family history, a predisposition to alcoholism does not mean that it is inevitable. Alcoholism may also be caused by environmental factors such as instability within one's family. The socioeconomic conditions in which a man lives may also contribute to alcoholism (see Reference 2).

Mental Illness

• Men who suffer from mental disturbances such as anxiety and depression are also more likely to suffer from alcohol dependence. Comorbidity, or the presence of more than one psychological disorder, is also a strong indicator of having problems with alcohol, according to a paper published by the National Institute of Health. Post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and panic disorder are also examples of mental disorders that may contribute to alcoholism. Comorbidity presents a significant problem for psychologists and substance abuse treatment professionals because one disorder may mask the other. Comorbid patients can be extremely difficult to treat (see Reference 3).

Physical Consequences

• Alcoholic men may suffer from extreme physical consequences as a result of their disease. Cardiovascular disease, liver disease, particularly cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis and stroke are common physical consequences of alcoholism. The incidence of cancer is also a potential health risk of alcoholism, with mouth and esophagus cancer being prevalent forms of cancer in alcoholic patients (see Reference 4).

Social Consequences of Alcohol in Men

• Because alcohol abuse can cause inhibition, acts of aggression are common in men who abuse alcohol. Domestic violence is a common act of aggression by men who abuse alcohol and it is estimated that 1/2 of men who engage in domestic violence against their partners have substance abuse problems. Alcoholic men are also more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors which may potentially result in a lifestyle disease. Alcoholism also raises incidences of child abuse. Alcohol-related automobile accidents are also a social consequence of alcoholism. In the United States, 32 people die per day as a result of alcohol-impaired drivers (see Reference 5).