Alcoholism is pretty rife at the moment. There are hundreds of thousands of people across the globe suffering, and chances are you probably know someone who has an unhealthy relationship with the hard stuff.
That could be a colleague, a friend, or even a partner. And that is not only difficult for them, but it can be for you too. Naturally, one of the first things you want to do when you know someone is struggling is to help and sometimes one of the best ways to tackle the issue is to recommend the support of alcohol rehab facilities.
But if you’re looking to understand how to help an alcoholic, you first need to understand the reasoning as to why they may have developed an addiction. Which can be complex.
There are many reasons as to why a loved one may have developed an addiction and what’s important to note is that it’s a disease and a health condition, not just a matter of willpower. By recognising this, you can put yourself in a much better position to be empathetic and helpful.
So, why is our partner or a loved one living with addiction? Here are some of the reasons that might be the case…
Genetic Predisposition
There is actually research out there that shows genetics can play a big role in alcohol addiction, with those having a family history of it at higher risk of developing it themselves. Factors can include how a person metabolises booze, their susceptibility to cravings and the brain’s reward response to drinking.
What’s important to state is that genetics alone will never be the sole reason someone is an alcoholic, but it creates that vulnerability combined with other factors, which are featured below.
Coping With Stress or Trauma
One of the main reasons people turn to alcohol is to cope with anxiety, stress or trauma. We’ve perhaps all had a glass of wine after a stressful day at work, and this is basically an extended version of that. In fact, that’s often how it can start.
Essentially, alcohol is being used as a coping mechanism in some way and over time it’s become habitual and led to dependence.
In reality, that just exacerbates stress rather than resolving it and it can create a real cycle that’s difficult to break out from.
Mental Health Disorders
Mental health disorders and alcoholism do tend to go hand in hand, particularly conditions like anxiety, bipolar, depression and PTSD. People with untreated mental health conditions may turn to booze to self-medicate, to numb the pain from their condition.
That can escalate quickly and have devastating effects, making it incredibly important to tackle both mental health concerns and addiction.
Social and Environmental Influences
The environment in which a person lives can significantly affect their relationship with alcohol. Peer pressure, workplace culture, or social norms that promote drinking can increase the likelihood of habitual alcohol use. For example, young adults exposed to environments where heavy drinking is common may adopt these behaviours themselves.
Additionally, social isolation or lack of supportive relationships can drive individuals to seek comfort in alcohol. Environmental factors are powerful contributors to alcoholism because they shape behaviours and attitudes from a young age.
Early Exposure and Habit Formation
Finally, people who begin drinking at a young age are more likely to develop alcohol dependency later in life. That makes sense really.
Early exposure can interfere with brain development and normal coping mechanisms, making it much easier to fall into a pattern of drinking as we age. It’s important to recognise this from a young age, which may not help your partner right now, but it can be good to know for any children you have, particularly if genetics are going to play their part.
Ultimately, there are many reasons as to why your partner is struggling. The best thing to do is listen, have a non-judgemental conversation, show you are there for them and be side-by-side to get the help they need.
