Not Everyone Becomes An Alcoholic
Two teenagers experiment with alcohol for the first time. There’s a few ways this scenario could go to highlight how alcoholism does and doesn’t affect everyone. Perhaps both teenagers get drunk, really drunk. They feel euphoric, they have a party, they go home, maybe they both throw up, and they’re hungover in the morning. For one of the teenagers, the experience was enjoyable and they’re looking forward to having a good time again.
The other teenager, on the other hand, is thinking deeply about this experience. They really liked it. It felt good to be drunk. Getting sick and having a hangover isn’t such a terrible price to pay for feeling that way. Our first teenager will wonder when the next party will be and the next opportunity to have fun that way. Our second teenager is wondering how long they are going to have to wait to feel that way again.
Here’s another, more emphasized scenario. Two teenagers experiment with alcohol for the first time. Upon getting intoxication the first teenager realizes they are getting drunk and limits the amount of alcohol they continue to consume. They don’t like feeling out of control and they’re afraid of making poor decisions, getting caught, and any other negative repercussion which might come from drinking. Feeling euphoric, confident, free from worries, and capable of anything, the other teenager doesn’t stop.
Immediately they’ve made a connection. I feel good. I’m drinking alcohol. Alcohol is making me feel good. How good can I feel? I’ll find out with more alcohol.
Which teenager becomes an alcoholic or develops and alcohol use disorder and which one remains a normal drinker?
There are some alcoholics who report knowing that alcohol was going to be a problem with their first drink. Others take time to develop a chemical dependency, unaware that they aren’t drinking, or thinking about drinking like everyone else.
A Few Factors Differentiate What Will Create Alcohol Use Disorder
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- Genetic predisposition: having mental illness or substance use disorders in family lineage
- Prone to risk-taking and thrill seeking
- Having experienced trauma or abuse in one’s life
- Consistently drinking to the point of inebriation, beyond average intoxication
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Alcoholism can take years of your life. Lakehouse Recovery Center wants to help you create the best years yet to come. Our residential treatment programs are followed by a unique 12 month aftercare program to help keep clients recovery focused. For more information, call us today at (877) 762-3707.