Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are not always as simple or straightforward as they may seem. When you are worried about a husband, father or male friend, understanding the physiological and statistical facts related to male alcohol addiction may give you enough tools to understand the problem. It also allows you to point out logical reasons to seek professional help.
Statistical Facts
Although binge drinking does not always result in alcohol dependence or addiction, it does contribute to the development of the problem. Nearly twice as many men binge drink than women within a one-month time period. More concerning is the rate of binge drinking episodes within a year. Men have roughly 12.5 binge drinking episodes per year on average. That compares to roughly 2.7 episodes for women.
Since men are more likely to binge drink and have more binge drinking episodes on average than women, it is not surprising that roughly 17 percent of men develop a dependence on alcohol at some point in their lives.
Dopamine Differences
A key reason why alcoholism in men is a problem is related to the amount of dopamine in their bodies. When men drink alcohol, they have a much higher amount of dopamine released into the system. As a result, men feel more pleasure from drinking than women.
It is that difference in the amount of dopamine that also contributes to physical dependence. Regularly binge drinking can make it hard to feel pleasure in other activities. The body requires more alcohol to release the same amount of dopamine, which causes dependence.
Talking to Loved Ones
The statistical data and the scientific data will help you make a logical argument when you notice that a loved one is drinking too much. Since alcohol can impact a man’s ability to recognize the emotional aspects of your argument, focus on the logical reasons that he should seek help. Talk about the emotional aspects in a logical manner to make a solid impact.
Alcohol abuse is different for men and women. If you want to help a loved one fight alcohol dependence, then learn about the gender differences and focus on overcoming the problem from the appropriate stance.
You can talk to a counselor today, or view the programs that we offer for alcoholism treatment, to learn more.