Unfortunately, alcoholism and alcohol abuse is a problem for thousands of people all across the United States. For the last 60 years, we have worked to help those struggling with alcohol addiction break free from their addictions and find their identity in Christ. Alcoholism does not affect everyone, and there are certain factors that put a person more at risk than others of developing an alcohol abuse problem.
Family History
Family history is a significant risk factor for alcoholism and alcohol abuse. If a person has a parent or other close family member that struggles with alcoholism or if there is a longstanding generational family history of issues with alcohol, then they are at higher risk of developing issues with alcohol as well. This is not to say that everyone with an alcoholic parent will become an alcoholic themselves, but it is important to understand family history in order to avoid the potential of developing addiction issues in the future.
Depression and Other Mental Health Issues
Those struggling with depression or other issues like anxiety and even schizoaffective disorders and schizophrenia run a higher risk of developing issues with alcohol. Many people with mental health issues can become addicted to alcohol and other substances very quickly. It is important to recognize the increased chance of alcohol addiction in order to actively work to prevent these types of addictions from happening and making the mental health issues more difficult to treat.
Societal and Cultural Pressures
Drinking is often glamorized in many parts of the media, including tv shows and movies. These cultural indicators, paired with a partner or friend group who often drink can put a person at a higher risk of developing issues with alcohol down the line. This occurs significantly more with younger people, as the influence of friends and role models can increase the risk of addiction.
