The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines alcoholism as a disease that includes four major symptoms--craving, loss of control, physical dependence and tolerance. Each day, more than 700,000 Americans receive treatment for this disease, and approximately 7 percent of men are abusers, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A number of risk factors contribute to this problem.
History of Drinking in the Family
Aurora Health Care explains that alcoholism tends to run in families, which may mean that a genetic disposition to alcoholism or abuse may exist. The rate of alcoholism in men who have one alcoholic parent is 30 percent, while the rate of alcoholism in men with no alcoholic parents is only 11 percent.
The Cultural Factor
It appears that alcoholism is more prevalent in certain cultures and countries where drinking alcohol is socially acceptable. Aurora Health Care explains that rates of alcoholism is greater in both the United States and Europe versus men belonging to certain religious groups such as the Mormons who choose to abstain from drinking alcohol.
Psychological Disorders
Men with certain psychological disorders such as severe depression and anxiety are more prone to alcoholism than men who do not suffer from these illnesses, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Aurora Health Care agrees, adding that men with high expectations of themselves, feelings of inadequacy, needing a great amount of reassurance and those with a low frustration level are also at greater risk.
Drinking Excessively, Consistently
MayoClinic.com states that men who drink an excessive amount of alcohol over a long-term period of time are more likely to develop alcoholism. Doing this produces a physical dependence on alcohol.
The Age He Begins Drinking
The age a man begins drinking is another risk factor for a man becoming an alcoholic. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that approximately 2 million people between the ages of 12 to 20 are heavy drinkers. The site adds that the young people who are at the highest risk for drinking early in life are those with a family history of alcoholism, depression and family violence. In addition, almost half of the children who begin drinking before the age of 14 become dependent on alcohol before the age of 21.
