Risk factors
The risk factors of alcoholism are closely related to the causes listed above. We can break them down into:
- Psychological risk factors: Feeling depressed, anxious, or not feeling comfortable in social situations may trigger alcoholism. This problem is prevalent in bipolar disorder and similar conditions.
- Personality risk factors: Certain personalities are linked to more cases of alcoholism. One of these personalities is risk-takers and people who disregard the consequences of their actions. There are also those social drinkers who feel shy without their drink and feel that they become more likable this way.
- Genetic risk factors: According to studies, being children of alcoholic parents can increase the likelihood of alcoholism. Various genes have been identified (more than 50), but not all cases respond to genes. They only create the baseline and a predisposition to become alcoholics under certain circumstances.
- Social risk factors: Alcohol sometimes has a social aspect to it, and those who live in families who normalize alcoholic behaviors are more likely to become alcoholics themselves. In some circles, alcohol is glamorized, and people start drinking to become acceptable for others.
- Environmental risk factors: Different factors around us can also contribute to alcoholism. For example, easier access to alcohol in some countries may lead to an increase in the cases of alcoholism. Family wealth and having drinks readily available on the counter is also a risk factor. Undergoing stress or enduring loss can also become a factor that is outside of us but contributes to alcoholism.