The Effects of Alcoholism
The Effects of Alcoholism
Alcoholism can begin as a choice and evolve into something much greater. The choice can turn into a dependence and that can evolve into a disease. When alcohol is abused it is a very damaging force. Abusive behavior caused by alcoholism can hurt other around you. The consumption of alcohol and how the human body reacts can lead to addiction, genetic makeup, and traumatic experiences.
There are more factors that contribute to alcoholism turning into a disease. One of those factors is genetics. “Genetic factors play a role in determining who develops alcohol problems,” said Dr. George Koob, PhD, NIAAA Director. “By understanding the genetic underpinnings of alcohol use disorder, we will be better able to develop targeted treatment and prevention strategies.” Like if most of the person’s family is alcoholic, that person has a very high chance of falling in their footsteps. People who are religious tend to not consume alcohol. “Young people who regularly attend religious services and describe themselves as religious are less likely to experiment with alcohol and drugs, a growing body of research shows.” Religious instruction can help lead people the right way. Unlike, people who are not religious tend to affiliate with alcohol. “Fewer and fewer adolescents today are connected to a religious organization. Young people are less affiliated than previous generations, with 25% of the millennial generation unattached to any particular faith, according to a 2010 Pew Research report.” Some people have their brains wired differently to be addicted to things naturally. People who contain the addictive personality are more at risk, than someone who does not have that personality. “Significantly, researchers were able to reverse compulsive alcohol drinking in the mice using gene delivery and pharmacology. Increasing levels of BDNF in the ventromedial portion of the prefrontal cortex, a brain region involved in compulsive drug and alcohol seeking, returned the mice to moderate levels of alcohol intake.” Alcoholism has many different factors into it, though it is still a choice to start to drink.
Being an alcoholic starts as a choice, but has many factors that turn it into a disease. This researcher shows that it is