Alcoholism is caused by many factors. It is clear that both genetics and environment play a role in the development of the disease. It is unlikely that people are born with an addiction to alcohol; instead the dependence develops gradually over time. Some people are much more likely than others to develop dependence. The reason probably has to do with brain chemistry. Drinking alcohol causes changes in the levels of several chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters including GABA, glutamate, and dopamine. How much the levels of these chemicals change and how they are modified when a person stops drinking alcohol is different in different people and probably determines which people become alcohol-dependent. Scientists are still trying to determine what factors make peoples’ brains respond differently. Some factors believed to be involved are:

• Genetics: Genetic differences in the way people metabolize alcohol and in the way the brain responds to it are major factors in alcoholism. There is not likely to be a single “alcoholism gene” but several genes have been identified that raise a person’s risk of becoming an alcoholic. Some genes have been identified that appear to increase the risk that a person will become addicted to something, whether it’s alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, or something else.
• Emotional turmoil: Emotional pain, stress, and anxiety may lead some people to drink alcohol to block out the turmoil. The way a person’s body responds to stressful situations may make them more or less likely to become alcohol-dependent.
• Psychological factors: Psychological factors such as how much self-esteem a person has or how prone they are to feeling lonely or depressed may also affect their chances of becoming an alcoholic.
• Social factors :Social and cultural factors clearly play a role in alcoholism. In countries where alcohol is not allowed, the rates of alcoholism are far lower. In most Western countries, the liberal attitude toward alcohol and its status as the one “socially acceptable” drug mean alcohol is much more visible and available widely. Not surprisingly, rates of alcoholism are higher in these countries.