Reasons for Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse is prevalent in people from every walk of life. It is widespread and far-reaching in most cultures and stems from a variety of causes. These causes are the subject of numerous studies undertaken by researchers all over the world. By conducting studies of the reasons for alcohol abuse, experts hope to clarify the different causes and determine solutions to address each one.

Socioeconomic

• Socioeconomic reasons for alcohol abuse vary. For example, according to the European Union Public Health Information System or EUPHIX, binge drinking is commonly associated with both relatively richer college students and unemployed adults. This may also differ between the sexes as well; according to a 2004 study by Dr. Emmanuel Kuntsche, "Characteristics of Binge Drinkers in Europe," both highly educated women and less educated men have been observed to drink more heavily than their respective counterparts in the same gender. This inconsistency stems from the shift in circumstances surrounding each sub-type; for instance, richer college students typically have a different mentality about alcoholism from that of richer adults.

Emotional

• Emotional abuse and subsequent alcohol abuse have been consistently correlated by various media outlets and studies. According to Dr. Peter Anderson, author of the 2006 study "Alcohol in Europe, a Public Health Perspective," people who are consistently depressed tend to become alcohol-dependent. This relationship is also bilateral and consequently self-serving: Alcohol dependency increases depression, which may start a cyclical cause and effect. Talk Rehab, an alcoholism help and support website, reports that alcohol abuse is also used as a form of escapism. People take advantage of the alcohol's psychological impairment to feel a sense of euphoria and distance from reality.

Environmental

• Environmental factors such as low price and ease of accessibility contribute to an increased and early risk of alcohol abuse. Accessibility in particular includes location and advertisements; regularly seeing alcohol is a catalyst for future alcohol use. Donald Forrester, author of "Parents Who Misuse Drugs and Alcohol", states that parents are prime models of alcohol consumption for growing children; parents create the early impression that alcohol use or abuse is a family norm. Prevalent drinking cultures and laws also contribute to subsequent alcohol abuse. For example, EUPHIX states that alcohol abuse is reportedly higher in countries that do not have legal-age drinking laws and nations that positively reinforce alcohol use.

Psychosocial

• Younger people are particularly prone to psychosocial influences. According to the 2005 study "Why Young People Drink" by Dr. Emmanuel Kuntsche, adolescents typically have social motivation to start drinking. Peer pressure may encourage people to get drunk for the sake of being drunk -- to experience the "high" of alcohol and become more socially confident. Additionally, young people tend to consume more alcohol as they name more reasons to drink.