These Alcohol Facts May Surprise You
For as long as alcohol has been around, there have been those who struggle with alcoholism. In today’s world, it’s not always easy to know who is suffering from alcoholism, and the following alcohol facts might surprise you. Alcoholism only affects a small portion of people in the world, but it’s important to know how severe the problem is and how people become addicted to alcohol. Knowing the facts may help you assist a loved one, or it may allow you to be open to the idea of finding help for yourself.
Genetics as a Factor of Alcoholism
Did you know that there are people who are genetically predisposed to the disease of alcoholism? It took decades for medical science to figure out what made some people suffer from alcoholism while others didn’t. There are many risk factors, but one of the main causes is a person’s genetics. Studies have found something they’re calling the “alcoholism gene,” which puts someone at a much higher risk of developing the disease. For example, if a mother and father are both addicted to alcohol, their children have a much greater chance of developing alcoholism. Much like other diseases, this doesn’t mean that it’s certain that each child will develop alcoholism, but their chances are much higher.
Many Children Grow up with Alcoholism in the House
A study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) showed that over 10% of children in the United States have a parent who suffers from alcoholism. Even though genetics play a role in a child developing alcoholism, their environment is also a risk factor. Growing up with a parent who suffers from alcoholism makes a child much more likely to develop a problem when they get older. Aside from developing alcoholism, children who grow up in a household with alcoholism are much more likely to develop symptoms of mental illness as well as other problems that can affect their social life.
Alcohol Facts and Age
The disease of addiction doesn’t discriminate, and it’s possible to develop alcoholism at any point in a person’s life. Aside from genetics, age also plays a role in a person’s risk of developing alcoholism. Young people are at a higher risk of becoming addicted to alcohol because their brains haven’t fully developed yet. According to a study in 2014, roughly 679,000 adolescents between the ages of 12-17 had an alcohol use disorder. Approximately 16.3 million adults 18 or older developed alcohol addiction. If you or a loved one has developed a problem with alcohol, allow Stepping Stone Center for Recovery to help. We provide our clients with everything from a medically monitored detoxification to inpatient and outpatient treatment. Call today at 866-957-4960 to find out more information.
