Alcoholism has been a major concern for decades. When people become both physically and psychologically addicted to alcohol, they become an alcoholic and suffer from a disease called alcoholism. One denotation of this term is a diseased condition of the system, brought about by the continued use of alcoholic liquors. Many think that the causes of alcoholism are mainly due to depression and stress. While these causes hold true, alcoholism is overwhelmingly due to heredity, biological makeup, and peer pressure. Many wonder what causes someone to go out on the weekends and play countless drinking games or have beer chugging contests on a frequent basis? The best answer to this question is their biological makeup and peer pressure.
The main causes of alcoholism are mostly linked to biological makeup and heredity. According to Mirin and Weiss, individuals who are adopted into non- - alcoholic families are more susceptible to alcoholism if one or both of their biological parents has a history of alcoholism. This study proves that genetics have a huge say on whether or not you will become an alcoholic. In another study, molecular geneticists identified a gene on chromosome eleven that is more common among people with alcoholism. If a child is born with this gene they are genetically prone to abuse alcohol more than other children (Noble and James 1993). Geneticist John Lockhome has pinpointed alcoholism to childhood behavior. He found that if young boys are easily excitable, impulsive and fearless they are three times more likely to become alcoholics. Excitability, impulsiveness and fearlessness are all genetically influenced traits (Masse and Tremblay 1997).
There have been numerous studies conducted on alcoholism and many point towards genetics as the number one cause.
Peer pressure is also a major culprit of alcoholism. Although it is not the main cause, it still greatly influences the use of alcohol.
