It is clear that continuous or steady drinking of alcoholic beverages can produce a dependence over time. While it is possible for anyone who does not drink in moderation to become an alcoholic, there are certain risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing alcoholism. People with several risk factors should consult a physician to identify ways to reduce their risk.
Gender
Alcohol abuse is five times more frequent in men than in women, according to health-cares.net. In addition, men are more likely than women to binge drink.
Family History
If you have a parent who is an alcoholic, you are at greater risk than the general population for becoming an alcoholic, state health-cares.net and the Mayo Clinic. While 11 percent of men who are alcoholics have no family history of the disease, the rate increases to almost 30 percent in men with one alcoholic parent. While family history also increases a woman's chances of becoming an alcoholic, the link is not as strong as it is with men.
Culture
Alcoholism is a greater problem in cultures or countries where alcohol consumption is part of social interaction, according to health-cares.net. Rates of alcoholism are high in Europe and the United States, for instance, where alcohol consumption is common and socially acceptable. In cultures where religious values prohibit drinking outside of religious services, alcoholism is rarely a problem.
Psychiatric Disorders
Severe depression or anxiety increases the risk for alcohol abuse, says the Mayo Clinic. In addition, health-cares.net points to higher rates of alcoholism among those diagnosed with personality and substance abuse disorders, as well as schizophrenia.
Age
The Mayo Clinic suggests the younger you begin drinking, the higher your risk for becoming an alcoholic. People who begin drinking by age 16 or earlier are at a higher risk of alcohol dependence or abuse than those who begin drinking later on in adulthood. That being said, health-cares-net notes the percentage of women developing a dependency on alcohol has increased over time, with women becoming alcoholics later in life than men.
Genetics
Individual genetic makeup can increase your chance for alcohol dependency. Genetic factors that affect the way people's bodies respond to and metabolize alcohol can also play a part in determining the risk for developing a dependency on alcohol.
