Alcohol Treatments

Sex and age

Many people who watch a doctor had a drinking problem at some point. Most are men, but the incidence of alcoholism in women has been increasing over the past 30 years.

For men, the overall risk for developing alcoholism is a 3% to 5%, and for women the risk is 1%. Women tend to become alcoholic later in life than men, but the medical problems that develop because of the disorder occur in the same age as in men, suggesting that women are more susceptible to physical toxicity of alcohol.

Although alcoholism usually develops in early adulthood, the elderly are not exempt. Moreover, some 3 million Americans over age 60 are alcoholics or have a drinking problem.

Alcohol affects the older body differently, and people who hold the same drinking patterns as they age can easily develop alcohol dependency without realizing it.

Family history and personality traits

The risk for alcoholism among children of alcoholic parents is 25%. The family link is weaker for women, but genetic factors contribute to this disease in both genders.

A family and a stable mental health are not protective in people with a genetic risk. Unfortunately, no way to predict which members of alcoholic families are at higher risk of alcoholism. In studies, young men with alcoholic parents responded to alcohol differently than people without a family history, showed fewer signs of intoxication and had lower levels of stress hormones. In other words, they held their liquor better. Experts suggest that such people can inherit a lack of those warning signs that make other people stop drinking.

It was once thought that a family history associated with a passive personality and abnormal dependency needs increased the risk, but studies have not supported this theory. It is important to note, however, that inherited or not, people with alcoholism are still legally responsible for their own actions.

Drinking in adolescence

People with a family history of alcoholism are more likely to start drinking before age 19 and become alcoholics. But anyone who start drinking in adolescence is at increased risk for alcoholism.

Early drinking increases the risk for drug abuse.

Ethnicity and social condotions

Ethnic differences affect the sensitivity. Although the biological reasons for the altered risk are not known, people in certain groups may be at less risk due to the way they metabolize alcohol. Some Asians have a dormant gene for alcohol dehydrogenase chemistry.

This chemical is used by the body to metabolize the alcohol, and in his absence, toxic substances accumulate causing flushing, dizziness and nausea. People with this genetic defect, then, are likely to experience adverse reactions to alcohol. This defect is not completely protective against drinking, however, particularly if there is social pressure added, as among the group members house on campus.

The risks for alcoholism are higher among people with lower educational levels and people who were unemployed.

Tags: alcohol, Alcoholism, Become Alcoholics, dizziness, mental health, nausea, stop drinking