Alcohol Misuse

Alcohol Misuse

When you lose your step because of the expectations of life and the stumbling blocks of the world, finding your way to clubs or bars is one of the first impulses of many people. Most come running to alcohol and alcohol, in turn, exerts its momentary power of relief over a person’s problems. Alcohol misuse, which is something that almost always happens when people drink, even has credible-sounding reasons to back it up.

The causes of alcoholism are categorised into either biological or behavioural. Some substance abuse experts say that your DNA plays a major role, while others say that the way you react to your environment or scenarios determines your probability of developing alcoholism.

Men are found to be more likely in developing alcoholism than women. But, women need a lesser number of weekly drinks (12) than men (15) for alcohol addiction to be achieved. Age, as well, is relevant. Some studies assert that starting young (when it comes to drinking) predisposes young people for alcoholism. And the notion that having an alcoholic in the family is going to guarantee the birth of another alcoholic in that family is put forward by a lot of researchers. Relatively new findings claim that the direct passing of the gene D2 dopamine receptor from a parent to an offspring has an effect on the child’s alcoholism risks.

On the other hand, other experts believe that psychological and sociological issues are the causes of alcoholism. Low self-esteem, for example, will motivate some people to drink in order to mourn their perceived unpleasant conditions. Depressed people take up drinking, to escape from despair, however temporarily. Distressed emotional states may also lead to drinking sessions. Plus, cultural mores and social norms make people feel like drinking is universally acceptable.

Alcohol misuse modifies the levels of necessary receptors in the brain that control mood and behaviour. The imbalance of those neurochemicals promote the urge to get more drinks to be more happy.

True, hereditary mappings or situational pressures can drive many to go popping corks. But, human beings are blessed with the power of conscious free will. As sentient organisms, we have the ability to discern when we ought to say no to anything. Your family tree or your environment can only do so much, without the expressed consent of your brain. Because, in the end, it is still you who gets to decide.