Alcoholism and binge drinking have become prevalent disorders that destroy many lives. Determining what leads one to such addictive behavior involves looking into the social, biological, and psychological conditions of a person to determine what lead one to become dependent on alcohol.

Psychologically, it often involves filling a void that one is feeling in life which in turn could have been caused by some negative experience in ones life, or it can also be caused by stress from work. With increasingly busy lifestyles, combined with concerns such as finances it is easy to sometimes feel alienated or overworked and not coping with such issues in a positive and healthy manner can lead one to destructive tendencies. Activities such as exercise, socializing more, proper diet, and even mindfulness meditation have all been shown to improve ones health, both physically and mentally, and are excellent ways to deal with life’s challenges in a more positive way.

Biologically, alcohol just like narcotics/drugs, works by affecting the reward center in the brain and the more one consumes it the more we associate that good feeling with alcohol; overtime, the body will need larger doses of alcohol to achieve the same effect which is why tolerance to alcohol will increase, causing one to consume more just to get that same feeling. The health effects of drinking large amounts of alcohol for a long period of time include but are not limited to heart disease, brain damage, and extensive damage to the liver and kidneys.

In terms of social circumstances, it is important to note that those who have a relative who is or has struggled in the past with addiction, are more vulnerable to becoming addicted.  In addition, stress factors associated with family problems,  poverty, and even things such as peer pressure can lead to addiction. Furthermore, an unfortunate truth is that many fear the social stigma of being addicted and so will not speak out which in turn further traps individuals in the destructive cycle of addiction. It is important to speak out and seek the appropriate help for both our own sake and the sake of our loved ones.

Another unfortunate fact is that many times we don’t realize that we have become addicted and don’t realize the effect it is having on us and those around us; but there are certain trouble signs to look for.

Trouble Signs

• The most noticeable symptom of alcohol abuse is when a person drinks excessive amounts of alcohol to the point that they miss work, get in trouble with the law and start to ignore responsibilities to their families and those around them. Also, the person will drink to the point of vomiting, losing unconsciousness and can also display erratic behavior.

• Alcohol dependency is also visible when a person will consume alcohol during inappropriate circumstances which can cause serious danger not only to themselves but also to others such as during work, while driving, operating any type of machinery/equipment or even during everyday tasks such as grocery shopping.

• Alcoholism can also be noticed by an increased dependency on alcohol to accomplish any task, based on an individuals belief and feeling that they cannot function without it, and a feeling of extreme withdrawal if the person does not get a drink. Withdrawal symptoms can include: convulsions, hallucinations, tremors and severe anxiety

However, even though one may have developed a dependency on alcohol, one may often try to deny that they have a problem and may not be fully aware of the hurt it is causing to their health, their family, friends, and profession. Acknowledging the problem is the first step towards solving it and one should seek the advice of a recognized medical doctor, psychiatrist, counselor or any recognized community based addiction service, in order to start the healing process, not just for oneself but also for the family, friends and coworkers who have been hurt by watching someone they care about be taken by addiction.  Addiction is an illness and can be cured by seeking the right help and building a supportive network that can include family, friends and coworkers who can help on the path to wellness.