How is alcohol addictive?

Answer 1

Alcohol is both psychologically and physically addictive. Psychologically, people turn to it to drown out their troubles. The more they do this, the more tempting it is to use this form of escape. But it doesn't stop there.

After drinking for a while, certain parts of the brain begin to change. Alcohol reduces the levels of serotonin and maybe other neurotransmitters. The brain is self-correcting to a degree, so it creates more serotonin receptors to cope with the lower levels of serotonin. This is physical addiction. The person has to drink to keep the serotonin low enough to avoid physical symptoms such as shaking and psychosis, since the brain is much more sensitive to serotonin now than before the addiction. This also means there are less psychological "benefits," and may cause the person to drink even more.

To overcome Alcoholism, you have to first go to a detox center to deal with the physical addiction and then get into an alcoholism program and/or 12-step program to deal with the psychological side of things. But dealing with the addiction is not enough, but dealing with what made the addiction seem attractive in the first place. If a person is immature and not willing to own up to the difficulties of life and face them, or they are lacking spiritually, they would be more willing to want to use in the first place. Recovering alcoholics also have another challenge, and that is the fact that they have had this habit. Once you get addicted in the first place, it can be hard to really trust yourself again. Alcohol filled a longing you had, and in another weak moment, you could be back to that point. That is where support systems and the 24-hour concept help.

Answer 2

it is a drug like any other drug that has addictive effects

Answer 3

There are many reasons alcohol is addicting. Many people become addicted because they get a feeling of not caring about their problems.