Almost half of Americans aged 12 and older reported being current drinkers of alcohol. Alcohol addiction, commonly called alcoholism. Alcoholism may also refer to a preoccupation with or compulsion toward the consumption of alcohol. Alcohol addiction often has a familial pattern, and at least some of the transmission can be traced to genetic factors. Many factors influence a person’s initial alcohol use. Personality characteristics, peer pressure, and psychological stress can all contribute to the early stage of alcohol abuse. These factors are less important as alcohol use continues and the person repeatedly experiences the potent pharmacological effects.

Social acceptability also has an important effect on alcohol addiction. Environmental factors are also important, such as upbringing, trauma and stress. Protective factors such as stable family environment can help prevent people from becoming dependent on alcohol. This chemical action, which stimulates certain brain systems, produces the addiction. Other psychological and social factors become less and less important in influencing the individual’s behavior.