Genetics

It has been discovered that there is one gene called DRD2 that causes humans to a predisposition toward alcoholism. The presence of this gene does not cause alcoholism itself but it does make the person feel the effects of alcohol more intensely which in turn can lead to the excessive use of alcohol. By itself, this gene is not a predictor of alcoholism but is thought to account for half of the total risk for alcoholism.

Gender

Most alcoholics are men however; the incidence of alcoholism in women is increasing in recent years.

Sugar Cravings

Studies have shown that people who crave sugar have a higher tendency to drink alcohol in excess. It has not been proven yet whether sugar cravings can be used as an indicator for alcoholism or if people with alcohol addiction satisfy their cravings with sweet alcohol rather than sweet foods.

Family Links

People who come from families of alcoholics have more of a tendency to begin drinking alcohol at a younger age and eventually become alcoholics in the same manner as their alcoholic family members. This risk for alcoholism in sons of alcoholic fathers is more than 25% but the familial link seems to be weaker for women. People with a family history of alcoholism are also more likely to begin drinking at earlier ages, which increases their risk factors toward abuse.

Other Factors

Other factors behind the excessive use of alcoholism include drinking in adolescence as well as drinking in the elderly. Although it is more common for young people to drink in excess, the elderly are not exempt and because of the serious life changes that can come about in the elderly they can be at an extreme risk.

People with emotional and behavioral disorders are more susceptible to the abuse of alcohol as are people in low-income situations. It has also been found that people who live in urban areas are more likely to drink in excess leading to alcoholism than people who live in non-urban areas.

Summary

Alcoholic beverages have been in existence for thousands of years. Drinking steadily and consistently over time can cause a physical dependence on alcohol as well as withdrawal symptoms when going without alcohol for very long. Physical dependence will not lead to alcoholism by itself. There must first be issues involved that cause the person to abuse alcohol and to abuse alcohol in an effort to deal with painful emotions and/or experiences.

Many factors lead to alcoholism and alcohol abuse. These things are important to recognize when the alcoholic goes through recovery and quits abusing alcohol. Any factors that can be removed or solved need to be addressed as part of the alcoholism treatment.

Read on and reconsider your habit.

It may surprise you that the most commonly used drug in the world is caffeine. Caffeine can be a great pick me up that helps get you through the day. Plus, quitting caffeine can cause annoying side effects like headaches and nausea. However, while it may seem harmless enough; there are studies that suggest negative effects of excessive caffeine use. Before you make a decision to give up or cut back on caffeine, be sure you have all the information.

Having been a college student, I know the negative effects of too much caffeine. While caffeine may help you get a jump start during the day or stay up all night studying, too much can make you nervous and shaky. It can also cause your heart to race and even affect your breathing. If you find yourself a bit jittery or shaky, caffeine may be the culprit. Plus, caffeine can make you feel more stressed during the day, even if you haven’t had too much.

Your afternoon caffeine boost may be to blame for your insomnia. A lot of people think caffeine won’t keep you up if you don’t drink it before bedtime, but the stimulating effects of caffeine can last up to 6 hours. If you cut back your afternoon caffeine consumption, you may find yourself more rested in the morning.

Along with the side effects of caffeine; studies have suggested that there are more serious consequences from excessive use. Its stimulant properties can have negative effects on the heart including high blood pressure. Its diuretic effects may cause calcium loss, leading to osteoporosis. In addition, it’s been suggested that caffeine can raise cholesterol, cause stomach irritation, and may even be linked to certain cancers. While most of this research is inconclusive and linked to high consumptions of caffeine, it’s something to think about.

Caffeine has not only been linked to low birth weight, and miscarriages; some also suspect that it could prevent conception. If you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, you should seriously consider giving up caffeine.

While research suggests that caffeine may be bad for you, quitting is ultimately a personal choice. If you feel you just can’t get through the day without your coffee, try drink less throughout the day. You may feel withdrawal symptoms to begin with, but you’ll be much better off in the long run.