The Narrow Line Between Alcoholism And Habit

You left the office today, as you did every Friday afternoon. You have arranged to meet a few friends with a glass. It’s your tradition and almost the only way you stay connected to each other. However, this afternoon is different. One of your friends has news that surprises everyone; he has been diagnosed with alcoholism. In addition, the habit of meeting every Friday with a glass is part of the problem.

This bomb is a shock to you and your friends. It makes you all think it’s a must-have joke. Unfortunately, it is not. That is a real problem and, unfortunately, very common. It is also very difficult to understand. It’s hard to understand because you drink too. You also meet your friends on Fridays and you have the same way. However, you do not suffer from alcoholism. You are not an alcoholic. Or so you think…

Alcoholism or habit?

Diagnostic classifications such as the DSM-5 define alcohol consumption  disorder as “a set of behavioral and physical symptoms that include withdrawal, tolerance, and a strong desire to drink alcohol”.

Within these criteria, the incidence and recurrence of  alcohol consumption are emphasized as an integral part of the diagnosis. However, can this repetitive consumption be considered a habit? According to the Royal Spanish Academy, we take into account the sixth definition of the word. It defines habit as “a state of addiction to certain drugs”.

However, is it a habit in itself that causes addiction? The answer is no. Addiction, in the case of alcoholism, is a disease that develops due to various factors. These factors include psychological, social, and biological considerations. It ranges from a mere habit of abuse and this consumption modifies the structure and behavior of a person’s brain.

That, in turn, means it’s a mixture of biological, social, and behavioral factors that turn a habit into something else. It turns drinking with your friends into an addiction. And this is the most dangerous point because there are factors we control, others we don’t. Therefore, it is difficult to predict who, if everyone were put in the same situation, would develop an addiction and who would not. 

Why do some people become alcoholics and others don’t?

So why in the group of friends we mentioned earlier did one become an alcoholic and the rest did not? The factors that contribute to the development of alcohol dependence can be summarized as follows:

Biological factors

The biological factors that contribute to the development of alcoholism range from genetic inheritance to changes in various neurotransmitters and brain structures that are consumed by consumption habits. These bring about even faster change in susceptible individuals.

Alcohol consumption disorder is most commonly found among relatives. 40-60% of the risk of alcoholism can be explained by genetic effects. In addition, the  risk is three to four times higher in children whose parents have that disease.

With regard to brain function and neurotransmitters, dopamine has been shown to play a role in the early stages of addictions. It is because dopamine is associated with pleasure as well as the so-called brain reward system, which consists mainly of the ventral tegmental area among other structures.

Psychological factors

Perception of what a person has about alcohol use as well as how he or she uses it can be very important factors. If in the circle of friends we mentioned earlier, the person who developed alcoholism used to brag that he was the one who could endure the most alcohol, he probably drank more than his friend.

In addition to endangering his own health by creating a harmful habit, the habit became uncontrollable and turned into an addiction. Thus, their patterns of behavior in youth, when this type of behavior begins, are crucial. Their attitudes towards managing and weakening the need for social reinforcement are very important. 

Social factors

The prevailing perception of drinking in society as well as the availability of alcohol are also very important factors. It has been proven that societies that are more tolerant of alcohol use also have a higher rate of alcoholism.

Because of all this, we need to pay attention to the fact that there is only a narrow line between habit and alcoholism. Within this limit, there are factors that are under our control (behavior) and those that are not (biological risks). Therefore, you better be very careful and always consume alcohol in moderation. Or better yet, avoid consuming it completely.