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Causes of Alcoholism

With recognition to Peet Duvenage

In many cases alcoholism has deeper lying causes that do not disappear once the drinker is sober.  

bulletPersonality/traits
bulletEducation/development
bulletEstablished behaviour patterns
bulletEnvironment
bulletReligion
bulletDamaged relationships

Personality/traits. The following attributes are considered to be generally applicable to people that become alcoholics (Catanzaro, Ronald J: ALCOHOLISM, Charles C. Thomas, 1968, pp16-19).

bulletEmotional immaturity.
bulletOverly dependent on their parents.
bulletInability to communicate and be engaged on his deeper experiences.
bulletTension in his relationships with others.
bulletInability to manage frustration.
bulletKeeping a front (as a defence mechanism to hide his sense of guilt, poor self image and other problems).
bulletPerfectionism.
bulletCompetitiveness.
bulletA sense of feeling inferior as a man or woman.
bulletA feeling of guilt.

Education/development. A study by the McCords (ORIGINS OF ALCOHOLISM, Travistock Publications, 1959) has indicated the following negative circumstances as having an above average occurrence in the case of alcoholics.

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Conflict between parents.

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Poor religious experiences.

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Nervous parents.

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Sexual deviations by the parents.

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Contradictory behaviour of especially the mother.

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Sidestepping instead of addressing problems.

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A father despising the mother.

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A mother that is unhappy with her role as mother.

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Lack of discipline.

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Low expectations of the child.

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Lack of leadership.

Established behaviour patterns. Addiction tends to develop over time. With and without addiction humans establish set behaviour patterns. These patterns do not change simply because the addiction has been broken.

Environment. Alcohol is a method to escape from

bulletemotional pain
bulletcrises
bulletboredom
bulletdistress
bulletfatigue

Religion

All humans have a need for security. Religious people experience it via their religion. Alcohol is sometimes called God-in-the-bottle. Alcohol can have the same value to the alcoholic as religion may have for a religious person. For alcoholics alcohol removes the feeling of guilt and inferiority and replaces it with a false sense of security. Insecurity returns when becoming sober again.

Social need. Humans want to live with and experience other humans. In a healthy religious community a sense of communion is experienced.  Alcoholics tend to have very low social skills and therefore do not experience this sense of communion. This is falsely created by having drinking partners or liking the atmosphere in a bar. Alcohol becomes their social lubricant.

However, genetics also play a role and there are indications that alcoholism can be inherited

This page has been updated on:04 January 2004

 

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Back to index.    Disclaimer: Although reasonable effort has been applied to maintain the integrity of the data and advice on this site, no responsibility can be accepted for the use thereof. It is a resource guide for understanding and managing alcoholism. The information on this site is provided "as is" for general information and is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis or treatment recommendation of a qualified health care professional.    Enquiries regarding this web site should be directed to support@alcohol.co.za