Risk Factors for Alcoholism

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

19 Nov 2007 09:41 PM

I worry that I am at risk for alcoholism.

When I was a child, I remember my grandfather mixing his "tea" at noon. I'm pretty sure there was no actual tea in his glass, despite that being what he called it. I remember incidents of irrational behavior -- like the time he shook my brother for dropping a piece of meat on the floor. It made me afraid of him.

It made me afraid to drink. When my friends experimented in high school, I abstained. Even if I tried a sip, I told myself I didn't like the taste.

Once I was old enough to drink, I mostly chose not to. I could easily see the allure of surrendering control to alcohol. It was tempting, though, and it took several embarrassing nights hunched over the toilet bowl before I got strict with myself. No more than two drinks at a party or bar. That is my rule. I figure I have enough of a risk of alcohol abuse thanks to genetics -- no sense in encouraging a problem to develop.

In case you're curious, these are the risk factors for alcohol abuse and/or dependence:

• A family history of alcohol abuse.
• Exposure to alcohol in the home growing up.
• Use of alcohol at an early age. The younger you are when you have your first drink, the higher your risk of developing problems as an adult.
• Male gender -- for every woman who develops a problem with alcohol, three men develop one.
• A history of mental health conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders. Alcohol is sometimes used to self-medicate these conditions.
• Use or abuse other substances, like tobacco, illegal drugs, or prescription medications.

Turns out I have at least one other risk factor going for me: depression. But knowing that you may be at risk is often the first step in preventing a problem.

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