Most people don’t drink alcohol expecting to become addicted. Instead, many people drink alcohol to deal with the pressures, challenges, and difficulties of life. Some people use alcohol because of social pressure, while others use alcohol to relax after a long day.
Regardless, all alcohol abuse starts somewhere, and there are several factors that can contribute to it.
Some consume alcohol to help ease anxiety, depression, tension, loneliness, self-doubt, or to temporarily escape unhappiness. Others have a family history of abusing alcohol. It’s important to understand that people’s reasons for turning to alcohol can be complicated and multifaceted. Nonetheless, here are some of the most common reasons why people abuse alcohol.
Stress is a natural part of life. But dealing with multiple types of stress or living and working in a stressful environment can increase an individual’s likelihood of heavy drinking. Raising children, grappling with unemployment, and dealing with financial problems can cause people to drink more than they normally would. Many police officers, doctors, nurses, and paramedics struggle with heavy alcohol use due to their high-stress occupations. Oftentimes, people use alcohol to help relieve stress and “take the edge off.” Unfortunately, this can lead to alcohol abuse and addiction. Taking the time to destress, exercise, and get adequate rest can help lower this risk factor.
Chronic stress can also alter brain chemistry, particularly the balance of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. This disruption can make alcohol appear more rewarding or comforting than it really is. Over time, individuals may develop a psychological or physical dependence on alcohol as a coping mechanism. Without healthier stress management strategies in place, this pattern can evolve into a destructive cycle that’s difficult to break without professional help.
Individuals who begin drinking at an early age are more likely to have an alcohol problem as they get older. In addition to developing a drinking habit, these individuals may also develop an increased tolerance to alcohol. This means they need to drink more alcohol in order to experience the effects they desire.
Early exposure to alcohol can also interfere with brain development, particularly in areas related to decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Adolescents are more susceptible to peer pressure and risk-taking behavior, which can reinforce dangerous drinking habits before they fully understand the consequences. These early experiences can shape a person’s relationship with alcohol for life, making them more vulnerable to long-term addiction.
Living with mental health challenges can make life feel like an uphill battle. That’s why many people with anxiety-based conditions, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD turn to alcohol to find some sort of relief from their condition. Unfortunately, the relief they feel is temporary, causing them to consume even more alcohol, increasing their risk of alcohol abuse and addiction.
Alcohol is often used as a form of self-medication, but it ultimately worsens underlying mental health issues. It can disrupt sleep, intensify mood swings, and increase feelings of hopelessness or agitation. This often creates a dual diagnosis situation—when someone suffers from both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder—which can be more difficult to treat. Without appropriate therapeutic support, individuals may find themselves trapped in a cycle of worsening symptoms and escalating alcohol use.
Many people combine alcohol with prescription medications without knowing that prescription drugs can increase the effects of alcohol on the body. When this happens, individuals may mistakenly believe that the combination “worked better” than the prescription alone. Unfortunately, individuals may become easily addicted to both of these substances, causing them to increase their alcohol and drug consumption with potentially fatal consequences.
This practice is especially dangerous when it involves central nervous system depressants such as benzodiazepines, opioids, or sleep medications. The combination can significantly slow breathing, heart rate, and cognitive function—sometimes to life-threatening levels. Additionally, alcohol may interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications, making mental or physical health conditions harder to manage and prompting further misuse. Clear guidance from healthcare providers is essential to avoid these hazardous interactions.
Having an alcoholic parent or relative increases an individual’s risk of alcohol abuse. Part of this is a result of genetics, but the environment in which an individual lives also affects the habits they develop. Living with and spending time around people who drink heavily can easily influence others to do the same.
Genetically, individuals may inherit traits that increase their sensitivity to alcohol or their susceptibility to addictive behaviors. Environmental factors like witnessing alcohol-related conflicts, lack of emotional support, or normalized heavy drinking can further increase this risk. Children who grow up in such households may adopt unhealthy coping mechanisms and struggle with self-esteem, trust, or emotional regulation—factors that can all contribute to alcohol misuse later in life.
In addition to being a product of their environment, most individuals are influenced by a variety of social factors. When these social factors are negative, individuals might turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism. Some of the most common social factors associated with alcohol abuse include:
Experiencing trauma can be devastating. Attempting to live through unresolved trauma can be debilitating. That’s why many trauma survivors turn to alcohol as a way to escape the physical, emotional, and psychological pain that reverberates in their everyday life.
If you or a loved one needs help with an alcohol addiction, call us today at 844-909-2560, or email us at info@metaaddictiontreatment.com. You can also visit any one of our three locations, which are open 24/7:
Our flexible outpatient programs can help individuals live the sober life they want and deserve. Best of all, our programs allow individuals to progress in their recovery while still going to work, attending school, or taking care of their family. We understand that recovery must be effective both inside and outside treatment programs and we work hard to help our clients apply the lessons learned in treatment to their everyday lives. For individuals who need sustained support while fulfilling life responsibilities, outpatient treatment with Meta can be an ideal fit.
If you’re not sure whether outpatient treatment is appropriate for you or your loved one, consider taking our assessments.
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