When it comes to alcohol addiction, it’s often easy for others to quickly place the blame on the individual struggling. They often believe the individual made a poor choice, or they simply enjoy drinking, and they blame them for the situation they’re in. However, it’s important to take a step back and consider what causes alcohol addiction. It’s important to know that many underlying factors can lead to alcoholism. An alcohol addiction treatment program can help individuals and their families understand the causes behind their addiction and learn how to move forward.

What Causes Alcohol Addiction?

Alcoholism can stem from several different factors. These causes can be broken down into categories, which can help family members understand why their loved one can’t stop consuming alcohol. Instead of blaming your loved one when you begin to notice the signs of alcohol addiction, consider what causes could be behind their drinking and start your search for help.

The three categories are often:

• Social Causes– The people that individuals spend the most time with can also be a major factor in their risk for alcohol addiction. Being exposed to family members or close family friends who exhibit alcohol abuse during a young age can lead to a higher risk of individuals abusing alcohol as adults. Peer pressure during high school and college years can also lead to alcohol abuse and addiction.
• Environmental Causes– The environment in which you grow up can also play a significant role in alcohol addiction later in life. Living in close proximity to bars, liquor stores, and other environments where drinking is prevalent can lead to a skewed view of drinking. The longer a person is exposed to ideas that drinking is fun and safe, the more likely they are to abuse alcohol later in life.
• Biological Causes– Many studies are beginning to show a connection between genetics and alcoholism. It’s one of the biggest reasons why some people can limit their alcohol intake with no issue, and others continue to drink heavily. Chemicals in the brain can also play a factor in alcoholism. For some who struggle with heavy drinking, alcohol creates a pleasurable sensation in the brain and creates feelings of happiness and euphoria, which makes them continue to want to drink.

Another cause can often be an underlying mental health disorder. Undiagnosed or untreated depression, anxiety, and PTSD are often driving factors in heavy drinking. Without proper mental health management, individuals will continue to abuse alcohol as a way to manage their mental health symptoms.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Lakeview Health

At Lakeview Health, we understand what causes alcohol addiction, and we know it’s not necessarily the client’s choice. Our internal team understands the struggles many of our clients face, and we create an environment that is caring, welcoming, and safe. We consider all possible reasons behind alcohol abuse and help our clients understand their dependence and how to move past it.

Our alcohol detox center provides the essential first step towards a recovery journey. Here, individuals are able to safely remove the toxins from their system under the careful supervision of our medical professionals. This not only keeps individuals comfortable, but also safe from more severe withdrawal symptoms.

From here, individuals are able to begin our residential program, where they remain at our treatment facility and participate in a number of therapies and activities. We also provide intensive outpatient programs and aftercare to ensure our clients receive the full continuum of care they need for success.

To learn more about what causes alcohol addiction and how to recover from alcohol abuse, contact Lakeview Health today.

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