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Symptoms of Alcoholism Include |
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Craving a drink
Loss of control
Physical dependence
High tolerance
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Causes
Alcoholism tends to run in families, so there is a genetic component. Regardless of whether children of alcoholics are raised by alcoholics, they are at risk for alcoholism or alcoholism-related problems. A child of an alcoholic is about four times more likely than someone from a family with no alcoholics to develop a drinking problem. However, a child of an alcoholic parent will not automatically develop alcoholism, and a person with no family history of alcoholism can become alcohol dependent.
Other factors that increase your risk for developing an alcohol problem include:
- Using alcohol as a coping mechanism for emotional problems.
- Peer pressure.
- Easy availability of alcohol.
- Poverty and deprivation.
- Physical or sexual abuse.
- Extreme stress.
- Developing an increasing tolerance for liquor.
More on Alcoholism Role of Heredity in Alcoholism
Role of Environment in Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Alcohol Hits Women's Health Harder
Frequently Asked Questions About Drinking Problems
Risk Factors for Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
In the Encyclopedia: Hepatitis, alcoholic
Alcohol-related neurologic disease
Korsakoff's syndrome
Alcoholism
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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