Why is Alcohol So Addictive?

Why is Alcohol So Addictive?
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Alcohol and addiction

Alcohol is an addictive drug. The more alcohol we drink (and abuse) the more our body comes to depend on it -thus, the nature of addiction. But what is it that makes alcohol so addictive?

The ironic thing about alcohol is that, to your body, it is poison. And in order to ingest alcohol and survive, your body must alter itself significantly. Specifically, your brain and liver undergo changes when you consume alcohol -they literally adapt to this toxin in their midst in an effort to keep you healthy (and breathing!).

Alcohol addiction and your body

This causes the brain and the liver to work very hard however, and eventually, if enough alcohol is consumed over time, they will succumb to the toxins found in the alcohol. When this occurs, the body is irreparably damaged, and death will eventually ensue.

Alcohol is a psychologically addictive drug. It eases stress and anxiety and therefore becomes a crutch to use in any situation that may cause stress. Plus, the more and more an individual drinks, the more they believe that they need alcohol to get through the day.

Signs of alcohol addiction include:

  • Drinking to avoid stressful situations
  • Drinking alone at all hours of the day
  • Drinking to excess and experience “blackouts”
  • The belief that you need another drink to get through the day

To the alcoholic, drinking solves problems. But this is not the case, as they merely help the individual avoid problems in the short term. The fact is, drinking causes more problems than it could ever solve. The addictive nature of alcohol stems from the compulsion to drink more and more to help avoid or block out thoughts of those issues we have to face.

What you need to know about alcohol addiction

Many individuals are genetically predisposed to alcohol addiction. To these people, excessive drinking is a dangerous game, as one’s genetic make-up is a very difficult thing to overcome. People who have a family history of alcohol abuse are more at risks for the issues discussed above including liver disease, brain damage and death as a result of excessive alcohol consumption.

If you or someone you know is addicted to alcohol, the time has come to get help from caring, knowledgeable professionals. At Michael’s House, we are here to help!