Alcoholism is among the most serious health problems faced by various countries worldwide. Considered as a disease, alcoholism is widely associated with various etiological factors. These etiological factors are considered to be social, psychological, or genetic in nature. In order to understand better the disease concept of alcoholism, this paper will tackle the social, psychological, and genetic etiological factors of alcoholism and which among such contribute the most to the emergence of the disease. In light of this, this paper would investigate whether alcoholism is social, psychological, or genetic in nature.
Traced back to as early as 10,000 BC, alcoholic beverages have been a mainstay in every culture around the world and are normally associated with celebrations and occasions (Foroud, Edenberg, & Crabbe 64). Alcohol drinking normally presents no harm if taken moderately (American Psychological Association). For most adults, moderate alcohol drinking means not consuming more than 5 ounces of alcohol, that is 1.5 ounces of spirits, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer (APA). However, some people consume more than such amount resulting to intoxication and drunkenness. Repeated excessive consumption of alcohol is considered to be alcohol abuse during its early stages (APA). As alcohol abuse continues with no successful intervention, a person may develop the so-called alcoholism (APA).
Alcoholism is considered to be one of the most serious health and social problem faced by various countries worldwide (Foroud et al. 64; Johnson 48; Morozova, Goldman, Mackay, & Anholt 1). According to World Health Organization, alcoholism causes as much as 1.8 million deaths worldwide which accounts for 3.2% of overall deaths worldwide (Foroud et al. 64). Aside from this, alcoholism is also responsible for 58.3 million disability-adjusted life-years lost to diseases (Foroud et al. 64). In USA alone, alcoholism is considered to be the cause of hospitalization of 14 million people, costing the country as much as $184 billion annually (Morozaova et al. 1). Some of the diseases directly caused by alcoholism and alcohol abuse include infectious diseases, cancer, diabetes, neuropsychiatric diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the liver and pancreas, and intentional or unintentional injuries which occur mostly during intoxication (Rehm). Considering the severity of negative implications associated with alcoholism, various studies have been conducted aiming at discovering the root cause of alcoholism. These studies were able to locate various causes which prompt the question: is alcoholism social, psychological, or genetic in nature?
Various studies link the development of alcoholism to various social and environmental factors. As mentioned by one study, factors such as peer pressure and easy availability of alcohol play important roles to the development of alcoholism (APA). Aside from such, violence in the family and a social environment that promotes alcohol abuse are also seen as some of the social factors that contribute to the development of alcohol abuse and alcoholism (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). Indeed, social factors play a significant role in the development of alcoholism. However, other factors also play important roles to its development and among such are the psychological factors.
Psychologically, the development of alcoholism is attributed to three things. First, it is hypothesized that alcoholism develops as a learned behavior (Horvath, Misra, Epner, and Cooper). Second, psychologists also view alcoholism as something that stems from people’s actions according to their beliefs and thoughts (Horvath et al.). Third, alcoholism is viewed to be caused by an arrest in maturity or development (Horvath et al.). Considering these hypotheses, alcoholism is also being treated using psychological methods (Horvath et al.; NIAAA). But aside from social and psychological factors, alcoholism is also viewed as genetic in nature.
Various studies have been performed by various experts to locate an association between a person’s genetic make-up and their tendency to become alcoholic. As demonstrated by studies, the presence of some genes may increase a person’s likelihood to become alcoholic by 50 to 60% (Foroud et al. 65). Among the genes that predispose a person to the risk of alcoholism are the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADG) (Foroud et al. 65). Activation of such genes often increases a person’s risk to becoming an alcoholic even with slight environmental triggers (Foroud et al. 65). Studies involving familial transmission of alcoholism were also conducted. Such studies show that the development of alcoholism is increased if a person’s sibling or one of his/her parents is alcoholic (Foroud et al. 65). However, the presence of alcoholism in one of the members of a person’s immediate family also does not guarantee that that person will become an alcoholic (Foroud et al. 65).
Considering the findings discussed above, it is safe to say that alcoholism may not be independently considered as just social or just psychological or just genetic. While genetics may be responsible for as much as 50-60% of risk of developing alcoholism, the remaining 40% of risks which may either be psychological or social in nature still plays a crucial role. Considering this, alcoholism may be considered as a result of confounding of social, psychological and genetic risk factors. Considering all of such factors will yield more successful result and intervention approaches to treat alcoholism.
Works Cited
American Psychological Association (APA). “Understanding alcohol use disorders & their treatment.” American Psychological Association (2015). Web. 21 July 2015.
Foroud, Tatiana, H.J. Edenberg, and J. Crabbe. “Who Is At Risk for Alcoholism.” Alcohol Research & Health 33.1-2 (2010): 64-75. NIAAA. Web. 21 July 2015.
Horvath, A. Tom, K. Misra, A.K. Epner, and G.M. Cooper. “The Psychological Causes of Alcoholism.” Aroostook Mntal Health Center (no date). Web. 21 July 2015.
Johnson, Bankole A. “The Biologic Basis of Alcohol Dependence.” Advanced Studies in Nusrsing 2.2 (April 2004): 48-53. Jhasim. Web. 21 July 2015.
Morozova, Tatiana V., D. Goldman, T.F.C. Mackay, and R.R.H. Anholt. “The genetic basis of alcoholism: multiple phenotypes, many genes, complex networks.” Genome Biology 13.239 (2012): 1-11. Web. 21 July 2015.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). “Module 2: Etiology and Natural History Of Alcoholism.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (March 2005). Web. 21 July 2015.
Rehm, Jürgen. “The Risks Associated with Alcohol Use and Alcoholism.” Alcohol Research & Health 34.2 (no date): n. pag. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Web. 21 July 2015.
