Why Alcoholics Stay Addicted

Biological Factors

  • Biological vulnerability and genetic predisposition in interaction with certain facilitating environments create problems and eventually disease.
  • Pharmacological impact of excessive use of alcohol and other drugs on body chemistry, physiology , and the organ systems of the body.
  • Tolerance – Increased frequency of use and higher doses over time.
  • Withdrawal – Negative effects of cessation of addictive behaviors.
  • Higher risk of developing specific physical disorders (diseases) associated with the chronic and excessive use of particular substances.

Psychological Factors

  • Motivation – Stages of habit initiation and stages of habit change.
  • Expectancies – Positive outcomes of drug use and self-efficacy.
  • Attributions – Effects of substance use and reasons for relapse.
  • Sensation-Seeking – Excessive need for stimulation
  • Impulsivity – Inability to effectively control or restrain behavior.
  • Negative Affect – Dysphoric moods such as anxiety & depression.
  • Poor Coping – Deficits in cognitive and behavioral skills or inhibitions in the ability to perform behaviors due to the effects of anxiety.
Sociocultural Factors
  • Family History – Dysfunctional family settings especially parental alcohol and drug problems and parental abuse or neglect of children.
  • Peer Influences – Social pressure to engage in risk-taking behaviors including substance use especially when related to gang membership.
  • Culture and Ethnic Background – Norms and religious beliefs that govern the use of alcohol and drugs and ethnic variations the body’s rate and efficiency of metabolizing drugs and alcohol.
  • Media/Advertising – Societal emphasis on immediate gratification and glorification of the effects of alcohol and drug use.


Source: http://depts.washington.edu/abrc/RP_new.ppt

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