What Causes Alcohol Addiction (Alcoholism)?
What causes alcohol addiction? Alcohol is a depressant drug, so alcohol addiction occurs much in the same way as drug addiction. Alcohol ingestion spurs the release of dopamine in the brain, a feel-good chemical which reinforces the sense of reward for consuming alcohol. As greater amounts of alcohol are consumed, an individual becomes tolerant to alcohol’s effects, but his or her body becomes more chemically dependent on alcohol in order to experience the sense of euphoria and relief of anxiety or pain. Continuous overuse of alcohol disrupts the body’s ability to function properly, damaging the brain and internal organs, just as other drugs do.
Our experienced drug rehab staff in our multiple Southern California locations know that some individuals may be predisposed to alcoholism based on their body chemistry and learned behaviors from loved ones who are addicted to alcohol. Many people use alcohol to self-medicate mental health conditions, ease pain, or relieve uncomfortable feelings. Stress, depression, and anxiety commonly compel excessive alcohol use, though alcohol may worsen these conditions and create more problems. People often turn to alcohol and other drugs as a solution for their pain, not because they are seeking another problem — though addiction can easily set in and cause a great deal of physical, emotional, and mental health issues.
