The cause of<unk>  is complex.<unk>  is related to economic and biological origins and is associated with adverse health consequences. Peer pressure influences individuals to<unk>  alcohol; however, most of the influence of peers is due to inaccurate perceptions of the risks of<unk> . According to Gelder, Mayou and Geddes (2005) easy accessibility of alcohol is one of the reasons people engage in<unk>  as this substance is easily obtained in shops. Another influencing factor among adolescents and college students are the perceptions of social norms for drinking; people will often drink more to keep up with their peers, as they believe their peers drink more than they actually do. They might also expect to drink more given the context (e.g. sporting event, house party, etc.). This perception of norms results in higher alcohol consumption than is normal.<unk>  is also associated with acculturation, because social and cultural factors such as an ethnic group's norms and attitudes can influence<unk> . Mental illness A person misusing alcohol may be doing so because they find alcohol's effects provide relief from a psychological problem, such as anxiety or depression. Often both the alcohol misuse and psychological problems need to be treated at the same time. The numbing effects of alcohol and narcotics can become a coping strategy for traumatized people who are unable to dissociate themselves from the trauma. However, the altered or intoxicated state of the<unk> r prevents the full consciousness necessary for healing. Puberty Gender differences may affect drinking patterns and the risk for developing alcohol use disorders. Sensation-seeking behaviors have been previously shown to be associated with advanced pubertal maturation, as well as the company of deviant peers. Early pubertal maturation, as indicated by advanced morphological and hormonal development, has been linked to increased alcohol usage in both male and female individuals. Additionally, when controlling for age, this association between advanced development and alcohol use still held true.
Alcohol abuse
Alcoholism
Alcohol dependence
Alcohol intolerance
Recreational drug use
Polysubstance use
Drug use
Childhood trauma