That more men than women struggle with alcohol abuse is a statistical reality. What isn’t so clear is why. As the most commonly-abused substance on the planet, alcohol can ruin lives. But is it nature or nurture that pushes so many men towards dependency?
According to psychotherapist Susan Hepburn, it’s a mixture of the two. “The risk factors leading to alcoholism differ between men and women,” she says. “The reasons for this aren’t always clear, but psychological, social and environmental factors seem to be at play, including a [higher tolerance to] alcohol, later maturation in brain structures and socialisation into traditional gender roles.”
Men tend to be less risk-averse while drinking. For Dr Hepburn, this is a key factor that leads towards excessive use. “Men appear to be less fearful of the risks of physical and sexual assault resulting from alcohol consumption,” she says, “which can serve to prevent female drinkers engaging in heavy use.” That, as well as social pressures to drink among men, create the environmental conditions leaving men with a higher chance of alcohol dependency.
But the risk factors for alcohol abuse in men aren’t just social – they’re also chemical. Drinking alcohol releases dopamine – the pleasure hormone – and this process is stronger in men. “With repeated episodes, men experience a faster decline in dopamine release, creating tolerance,” Dr Hepburn says. “This is the hallmark of transitioning into dependency.”
If you feel you are struggling, help is there for you. Try Alcoholics Anonymous.
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