What causes dependency?  

It is no wonder that people develop addictions. <BR><BR>Excesses with food or sex or alcohol or drugs are as old as history. Addictive behaviours feel good, and we are wired to do what feels good. <BR><BR>We have managed to refine drugs so exquisitely that laboratory animals will self-administer them until they drop from exhaustion or starvation. Physiology and psychology explain much of how addictions are established. The mystery is in why we have not all succumbed. <BR><BR>The paths to dependence are varied. Anyone can become dependent. It can develop from coping with stress, loneliness, or with other problems. Or simply from frequent social drinking where the amounts consumed gradually keep increasing over time. <BR><BR>The "hook" of the addiction - the thing that keeps people coming back to it - is that it gives people feelings and gratifying sensations that they are not able to get in other ways. <UL><LI>It may block out sensations of pain, uncertainty, or discomfort. </LI><LI>It

It is no wonder that people develop addictions.

Excesses with food or sex or alcohol or drugs are as old as history. Addictive behaviours feel good, and we are wired to do what feels good.

We have managed to refine drugs so exquisitely that laboratory animals will self-administer them until they drop from exhaustion or starvation. Physiology and psychology explain much of how addictions are established. The mystery is in why we have not all succumbed.

The paths to dependence are varied. Anyone can become dependent. It can develop from coping with stress, loneliness, or with other problems. Or simply from frequent social drinking where the amounts consumed gradually keep increasing over time.

The "hook" of the addiction - the thing that keeps people coming back to it - is that it gives people feelings and gratifying sensations that they are not able to get in other ways.

• It may block out sensations of pain, uncertainty, or discomfort.
• It may create powerfully distracting sensations that focus and absorb attention.
• It may enable a person to forget, or feel "okay" about problems.
• It may provide artificial, temporary feelings of security or calm
• Give feelings of self-worth or accomplishment, of power or control, of intimacy or belonging.

These benefits explain why a person keeps coming back to the addictive experience. An addiction accomplishes something for that person, or the person anticipates that it will do so, however illusory these benefits may actually be.

But whatever the cause, the single common factor is drinking a lot of alcohol.

Alcohol dependence affects normal people who drink alcohol.