Alcohol: How Does Someone Get Addicted?

More than 17.6 million people suffer from alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction. On average, that’s about 1 in 12 adults, with many more engaging in unhealthy habits that can ultimately turn into alcoholism.

This article explores what defines alcohol addiction, how it becomes addictive, symptoms and signs, how alcohol affects the brain, and potential causes.

Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism, is an actual disease that can affect anyone, regardless of gender, race, or social status.

Addiction can present in various ways. The severity of the disease, how often someone drinks, and the alcohol they consume vary. Some people drink all day heavily, while others binge drink and then stay sober for some time.

Alcohol affects some of the complex structures in the brain. It starts by blocking chemical signals in between the cells of your brain (also known as neurons), leading to intoxication, which includes:

• Impulsivity
• Slurred speech
• Poor memory
• Slower reflexes

The damage worsens by binge drinking and sudden withdrawal. Damage caused by alcohol can take on several forms, including:

• Neurotoxicity: Neurotoxicity happens when the neurons overreact to the neurotransmitters for too long. Being exposed to them too frequently can cause the neurons to ultimately ‘burnout.’ And since neurons work hard to make up different pathways between your brain, it causes a noticeable slowing in your reactions.
• Brain matter damage: Dependent people can often experience ‘brain shrinkage.’ Simply put, brain shrinkage is when the amount of gray matter (cell bodies) and white matter (cell pathways) shrinks over time.

There are a few definite differences in how brain damage happens in men and women. However, regardless of gender, loss of brain matter grows with age and the amount of alcohol consumed.

What are the observable effects on the brain?

Since alcohol impacts such a large part of the brain, there are a variety of cognitive impairments that can occur as a result of frequent heavy drinking, including problems with:

• Verbal fluency and verbal learning
• Processing speed
• Working memory
• Attention
• Problem-solving
• Spatial processing
• Impulsivity

Parts of the brain related to memory and problem solving are more susceptible to damage than other parts of the brain, so issues in these areas tend to be worse than others.

So how does alcohol get addictive?

Alcohol consumption is typically a social activity. People drink when they’re with their friends, family comes into town, or with coworkers after a long day at the office. In turn, drinking produces a type of ‘high’ that we start to crave.

Whether it’s to calm anxiety in social situations, be more friendly, forget about their problems, or numb the pain, these types of feelings can get addictive.

The more someone copes with these feelings by drinking, the higher your tolerance levels become. As a result, a vicious cycle begins where you need more and more alcohol to reach that level of comfort.

Physical and psychological addiction to alcohol

If someone continues drinking heavily, they’ll start to not feel ‘normal’ without it over time. This is what’s known as a psychological addiction. The act of drinking becomes familiar and habitual, and they need it to feel good or like their usual selves.

Physical addiction, on the other hand, occurs when someone is unable to stop drinking without experiencing negative withdrawal symptoms, which include:

• Anxiety
• Shakiness
• Seizures (in more severe cases)
• Depression or difficulty managing moods
• Confusion
• High blood pressure
• Hallucinations

This physical and psychological addiction relates to the effect alcohol can have on the brain. A 2012 study showed that drinking alcohol releases endorphins in a couple of brain areas associated with ‘reward processing.’ The study also concluded that people identified as “heavy” drinkers had a higher release of these feel-good chemicals.

Genetic causes of alcoholism

Researchers discovered that a person’s genes are responsible for about half of the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. Even then, while your genes can play a role in the likelihood of an alcohol use disorder, other factors do influence a person’s risk.

Alcoholism often runs in families, and because of this, the genetic disposition for alcoholism is referred to as the “alcoholism gene.” However, research has found that there is no one gene responsible for alcohol addiction.

Instead, experts believe it’s a combination of genes that can influence this risk. People with a genetic risk factor for addiction may be more likely to develop alcoholism if they also struggle with environmental influences tied to addiction.

Environmental factors can include:

• The acceptance of alcoholism in the media
• Advertising and marketing of alcohol
• Social influences
• Availability of alcohol
• Public policies

Symptoms of addiction

Alcohol addiction can be challenging to recognize. Unlike other addictive substances, alcohol is widely available and accepted within many cultures. It’s often found in social gatherings, parties and often used for celebrations and special occasions.

In a way, drinking is a part of life for many. While it is common in society, it’s challenging to distinguish between someone who enjoys a few drinks here and there and someone with a problem.

A few symptoms of alcohol addiction are:

• Increased amount or frequency of use
• Increasingly higher tolerance for alcohol
• Lack of “hangover” or withdrawal symptoms
• Drinking at inappropriate times and places, like first thing in the morning before work
• Wanting to be where alcohol is present and avoiding situations where there isn’t any
• Changes in friendships and relationships; someone with an alcohol addiction may choose friends who have similar drinking habits
• Withdrawing from loved ones
• Sneaking alcohol, or hiding when drinking
• Dependence on alcohol to function
• Depression, or other mental health issues
• Legal or professional difficulties such as an arrest or loss of a job

As an addiction tends to worsen over time, it’s essential to watch for early warning signs. If recognized and treated early on, someone with an alcohol addiction can avoid significant consequences of the disease.

Alcohol addiction isn’t easy for anyone.

Not only for the person who is struggling but for their loved ones as well. While some people can drink moderately and never develop a problem, others will need help to stop drinking permanently.

If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, know that you’re not alone, and treatment is available. On the other hand, if you’re worried that someone you know has alcohol addiction, it’s best to approach them in a supportive way. Avoid shaming them or guilt-tripping them. This only pushes them away and makes them more resistant to getting any help.