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What is so Addictive About Alcohol?There are many factors that make alcohol addictive. These factors include chemical reactions, tolerance, social phobia and acceptance, availability, genetic predisposition, maintenance, and negative learned behavior. Alcohol not only affects the body physically, but emotionally and mentally as well, and because of this the addiction is often quite severe and can be ruthless in its devastation. When consumed alcohol is almost immediately absorbed through the stomach and the small intestine. It is then released into the blood stream where it is carried rapidly to the brain. When the alcohol is processed by the brain a number of chemical reactions occur. Among these reactions are substances that have been linked to the addictive properties of alcohol. Dopamine, endorphin, and serotonin are three neurotransmitters that are triggered upon alcohol consumption. Dopamine is a natural painkiller and muscle relaxer. It has a calming effect upon the individual, which can relieve many of the symptoms that accompany nervousness and anxiety. Endorphin is a chemical that activates opiate receptors, and is also a pain reliever. It triggers feelings of satisfaction, well being, and periods of euphoria. Serotonin has been found to be partially responsible in controlling mood. In studies of suicide victims it has been documented that the levels of serotonin are deficient, resulting in severe depression. During the use of alcohol all of these substances are elevated, inducing the already stated symptoms. These levels are only maintained as long as the alcohol is in the system, and upon withdrawal will rapidly leave the body. The extreme variance in the swing of hormonal control often leads to abuse as the individual craves the alcohol in pursuit of the high. Maintenance is a key aspect in the addictive properties of alcohol. It does not take long to develop a tolerance to alcohol, and once developed the individual will find the need for more of the substance to maintain the high. This often leads to binge drinking and habitual consumption. The same situation occurs when the user is confronted with the negative side effects of withdrawal. They will drink to avoid the physical pain of coming down. For those of us who are "social outcasts"; who for whatever reason feel that we do not fit into society, alcohol can seem like a bridge linking us to the outside world. It can turn nervousness into confidence; enabling us to interact without panic attacks. It can transform anxiety into calmness; relaxing the body and the mind. It creates enjoyment out of fear, turning phobic situations into pleasurable ones. It changes inhibitions into creativity and looseness, enabling us to free ourselves from the cage of our conservative skins and be other than what we are. It creates an exotic world that removes us from the boring monotony of the mundane. This is the addiction. This is the attraction. Unfortunately for those of us who do not possess the keys to be able to do these things naturally, alcohol is not, and will never be, the answer to our inadequacies. It only becomes part of the problem.
Alcohol and Alcoholism Information |
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