Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder, is an addiction to alcohol or a pattern of misuse of alcohol that is problematic.

Exact causes of alcoholism are often difficult to identify, but anyone who misuses alcohol and drinks a lot is at risk of developing a dependence. Some people are also more genetically predisposed to any type of addictive disorder, which can cause a quicker deterioration from problem drinking to alcoholism. As with other addictions, drinking alcohol regularly and in large quantities can cause changes to the brain over time that make it difficult to stop drinking. Some of the known risk factors that make someone more vulnerable to developing alcoholism include:

• A family history of alcoholism or other addictions
• Beginning drinking at an early age
• Binge drinking or steady drinking over a long period of time
• Having a mental illness, especially untreated
• Having a partner or friends that drink heavily
• Childhood trauma