Environmental Causes of Alcoholism
-
Parents Who Drink
-
One of the biggest influences on children is their parents. So it's no surprise to learn that parents who abuse alcohol often create an environment in which their children mimic their behavior. Alcoholics can create chaotic atmospheres which hinder the normal development of their children. Alcoholic parents are also more likely to get divorced, become unemployed, or commit acts of domestic violence. This type of environment causes children of alcoholics to be three to four times more likely than their peers to turn into alcoholics themselves.
Age
-
At the Washington University School of Medicine, researchers discovered that the earlier you begin drinking, the more likely you are to develop dependence on alcohol. According to Arpana Agrawal, who's a professor of psychiatry at Washington, and an author of the study, drinking before the age of fifteen "may induce changes in the highly sensitive adolescent brain, which may also modify an individual's subsequent genetic vulnerability to [alcohol dependence]." She also says that "[t]hose who had their first drink later in life showed far fewer signs of alcohol dependency, despite the genetic predisposition."
-
Ease of Obtainment
-
Because alcoholism can be triggered by drinking at an early age, it's important to scrutinize the causes for teen alcohol abuse. One of the biggest factors that contributes to teen alcohol abuse, is the ease with which alcohol can be obtained. Many teens who begin to drink frequently either have fake ID's, older friends who are willing to purchase alcohol for them, or parents who drink.
Peer Pressure
-
It's no secret that teenagers feel the need to be accepted. When their friends drink, they feel the need to drink as well. Peer pressure is not always as obvious as it's portrayed in the media. It can often be subtle, and the prospect of friends can influence a teenager to do things they wouldn't normally do. Gaining status and approval from people your own age is a powerful force, and peer pressure should not be underestimated when considering environmental factors that cause alcoholism.
-
