Alcohol addiction affects millions of people from all walks of life. Many have wondered why some individuals develop alcoholism while others do not. The answer involves a mix of genetics, environment, mental health, and personal experiences.
At First Steps Recovery, we understand that alcohol addiction is complex and affects each person differently. Our comprehensive treatment approach addresses the root causes of addiction to help individuals achieve lasting recovery.
What is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is how doctors refer to alcoholism in modern times. It’s a medical condition where someone can’t control their drinking, even when it causes problems in their life.
Unlike having a few drinks at a party or with dinner, alcohol use disorder means that alcohol has become the center of someone’s life. The person drinks even when they know it’s hurting their health, relationships, or work. It’s not about being weak or lacking willpower. The brain actually changes when someone drinks heavily over time.
There are many factors that differentiate alcohol use disorder from regular drinking:
- Loss of control: The person can’t stop drinking once they start
- Physical dependence: Their body needs alcohol to feel normal
- Tolerance: As time passes, they need more alcohol to feel the same effects
- Continued use: They keep drinking despite serious problems
- Risky behavior: The person drinks alcohol even in potentially dangerous situations, such as driving or watching children
According to recent data from SAMHSA, about 29.5 million Americans had alcohol use disorder in 2022.
Common Risk Factors for Developing Alcoholism
No single factor causes someone to become an alcoholic. Instead, several things can work together to increase a person’s risk of developing alcohol use disorder.
Genetics and Family History
Genes play a big role in alcohol addiction risk. If a person’s parents or grandparents had drinking problems, they are more likely to also develop them.
Studies have found that genetics can account for about 50% of alcoholism risk. Certain genes affect how the body breaks down alcohol. Some people get drunk faster, while others can drink more alcohol without feeling it. But having alcoholic relatives doesn’t mean a person will definitely become one — it just raises the chances of them developing the disorder.
Environmental Factors
Where a person grows up and who they spend time with will affect their drinking habits and how they see alcohol in general. Examples may include:
- Family attitudes: If heavy drinking was normal in the house, the person might think it’s a neutral or acceptable way to live
- Peer pressure: Friends who drink heavily can influence a person’s habits or affect their perspective on what’s “normal”
- Cultural norms: Some cultures view drinking as a normal part of socializing, especially as part of celebration
- Stress levels: High-stress environments or life events can lead to someone drinking alcohol as a coping method
Early Drinking
People who start drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol addiction later as adults. The teenage brain is still developing, and alcohol can interfere with this process.
Early drinking often happens due to:
- Curiosity about alcohol
- Peer pressure from friends
- Easy access to alcohol at home
- Lack of parental supervision
How Alcohol Addiction Develops in the Brain
Understanding why people become alcoholics requires knowledge of what happens in the brain during addiction.
When someone drinks alcohol, it releases chemicals called endorphins in the brain. These chemicals make a person feel good, which is partly why people enjoy drinking alcohol at all.
But with repeated drinking, the brain starts to change. This can include shifts like:
- Tolerance builds: The person needs more alcohol over time to feel the same good feelings
- Dependence forms: The brain accommodates the chemical changes from drinking alcohol, so it eventually needs alcohol to function normally
- Cravings increase: Your brain sends strong signals to drink alcohol, so it can receive what it needs to function at the new normal
These brain changes can help explain why people become alcoholics, even when they want to stop drinking. At a certain point, despite the potential for overall physical damage, the body has changed to accommodate the presence of alcohol and will need time to adjust to being without it. This is why medically assisted detox is frequently recommended for people looking to heal from alcohol addiction.
How Mental Health Affects Alcohol Addiction
About 37% of people with alcohol use disorder also have a mental health condition. It isn’t guaranteed that someone will develop an addiction if they have a condition, but it’s important to know personal risk factors when receiving a diagnosis.
Several mental health conditions can correlate to a higher rate of addiction, including:
- Depression: People with depression are twice as likely to develop problems with drinking alcohol
- Anxiety disorders: Social anxiety and panic disorder can often lead to drinking to cope (especially in social situations)
- PTSD: Veterans and trauma survivors frequently develop drinking problems
- Bipolar disorder: Mood swings associated with this condition can trigger heavy drinking episodes
Self-Medicating Mental Health Conditions with Alcohol
Many people drink alcohol when dealing with difficult emotions. But when emotions are at least partly informed by a mental health condition, they can feel particularly overwhelming. If a person is not taking medication for a mental health condition (and even if they are), they still may be inclined to reach for substances to cope with symptoms. This is called self-medicating.
A self-medicating person might use alcohol to:
- Calm anxiety before social situations
- Numb emotional pain when remembering trauma
- Fall asleep when dealing with insomnia
- Feel less depressed or hopeless
While alcohol might help temporarily make a person feel better, it usually makes mental health problems worse over time. A key part of dual diagnosis treatment is learning healthy coping mechanisms that can provide lasting relief without the downsides of addictive substances.
Warning Signs That Someone is Becoming an Alcoholic
Alcohol addiction doesn’t happen overnight. It develops gradually, and there are warning signs as the condition develops.
Behavioral Changes
- Drinking alone or in secret
- Lying about how much they drink
- Missing work or school because of drinking
- Giving up hobbies or activities they used to enjoy
- Becoming angry when someone mentions their drinking
Physical Signs
- Needing more alcohol to feel drunk (physical tolerance)
- Shaking, sweating, or feeling sick when not drinking (withdrawal symptoms)
- Blackouts from drinking or memory problems
- Changes in appearance or hygiene
- Health problems related to drinking, such as a weakened immune system
Social and Relationship Changes
- Changing social circles, especially if the new group of people drink
- Losing friends who don’t drink
- Legal problems, such as DUI arrests
- Financial troubles from spending money on alcohol
Taking Your First Steps Toward Recovery
Recovery from alcohol addiction is possible at any stage. The first step is recognizing there’s a problem and getting help.
If you’re wondering about your own drinking or someone else’s, here are some questions to consider:
- Can you go a week without drinking?
- Do you drink more than you planned?
- Have people expressed concern about your drinking?
- Do you feel guilty about your drinking habits?
Professional help makes a big difference in recovery success. Treatment options include:
- Medical detox: Safely managing withdrawal symptoms
- Counseling: Learning new coping skills and addressing underlying issues
- Support groups: Connecting with others in recovery
- Medication: Reducing cravings and preventing relapse
FAQs About Why People Become Alcoholics
Can someone with alcoholic parents avoid becoming an alcoholic themselves?
Yes. Having alcoholic parents increases your risk, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop alcohol addiction. Environmental factors, personal choices, and early intervention can help prevent alcoholism even with genetic risk factors.
Why do some people become alcoholics after a few years of drinking while others never do?
Individual differences in genetics, mental health, stress levels, and social environment all affect how quickly someone might develop alcohol addiction. Some people are simply more vulnerable due to these combined factors.
Is there a specific age when people are most likely to develop alcoholism?
Most people who develop alcohol use disorder start showing signs in their early twenties, though it can develop at any age. Starting to drink before age 15 significantly increases the risk of developing alcoholism later in life.
What's the difference between being an alcoholic and having a drinking problem?
Alcoholism (alcohol use disorder) is a medical diagnosis with specific criteria, including physical dependence on alcohol and an inability to control drinking. A drinking problem might refer to someone suffering negative consequences from alcohol use, even if the person doesn’t meet the full criteria for alcoholism.
Get Help for Alcohol Addiction at First Steps Recovery
At First Steps Recovery, we understand that alcohol addiction affects everyone differently. Our experienced team in Fresno County, California provides personalized treatment that addresses both the addiction and its underlying causes. We offer everything from medical detox to long-term aftercare, helping you build a strong foundation for lasting recovery.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward a healthier life, contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive treatment programs.
Dr. Curl is the Medical Director and primary on-site provider for First Steps Recovery. He is a Board Certified Internist and Addiction Medicine Specialist having attended the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completing his residency at Mount Auburn Hospital with Harvard Medical School. Following several years work as an internist and physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation). Dr. Curl completed the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at Howard University in Washington DC and participated as a RAM Scholar (Research in Addiction Medicine). While part of the fellowship, Dr. Curl pursued research investigating the barriers to expanding and improving medication for opioid use disorder. Following his fellowship, Dr. Curl spearheaded the Opiate Use Disorder outpatient clinic and worked in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences within the Howard University Hospital. In 2023, Dr. Curl completed his Board Certification in Addiction Medicine.
