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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffSteady drinking over time can produce a physical dependence on alcohol. Drinking more than 15 drinks a week for men or 12 drinks a week for women increases the risk of developing dependence on alcohol. However, drinking by itself is just one of the risk factors that contribute to alcoholism. Other risk factors include:
- Age. People who begin drinking at an early age — by age 16 or earlier — are at a higher risk of alcohol dependence or abuse.
- Genetics. Your genetic makeup may increase your risk of alcohol dependency.
- Sex. Men are more likely to become dependent on or abuse alcohol than are women.
- Family history. The risk of alcoholism is higher for people who had a parent or parents who abused alcohol.
- Emotional disorders. Being severely depressed or having anxiety places you at a greater risk of abusing alcohol. Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder also may be more likely to become dependent on alcohol.
