Why Is Alcohol Addictive? - Transformations Treatment Center. Every year, millions of Americans develop serious, diagnosable problems with alcohol. Widespread use of this socially acceptable substance is a key factor in the existence of such large numbers of affected people. However, the true underlying source of the issue is alcohol’s potential to trigger addictive changes in the human brain. Today, researchers, doctors and public health officials have developed a thorough understanding of how excessive alcohol use can lead to addiction. Alcohol’s Basic Brain Effects Any understanding of how alcohol triggers addiction begins with an understanding of how this substance alters basic brain function.
In turn, neurons depend on a large group of chemicals — called neurotransmitters — to relay their signals and maintain ongoing communication. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. How Does Addiction Occur? These alterations occur because the brain must adapt to its “new normal” environment to keep going. Need More Information?