What Is It About Alcohol That Becomes Addictive?

Alcohol triggers the release of dopamine - a chemical which produces feelings of satisfaction. This is the same chemical that is triggered during sexual intercourse. It also increases the production of endorphin - which the brain becomes trained to crave. Endorphin releases happen in the case of cigarettes and other illicit drugs.

Alcohol takes a long route to the brain. After entering through the food pipe it goes through the stomach, then the small intestine and into the blood stream. It usually takes about half-a-minute for the alcohol to reach the brain. The reaction of the body to alcohol will also depend on the gender, race, age and physical constitution of the individual. An individual's reaction to alcohol would also depend on the drinking history of his parents. Alcohol belongs to a class of drugs that known as sedative-hypnotics. In street terminology sedative-hypnotic drugs are referred to as 'downers.'

The brains craving for alcohol could soon turn into physical dependency. This is the stage when it become dangerous and the individual must seek help.

It is the dopamine in the alcohol that makes it very addictive as it "excites" the brains and gives it a sense of thrill and exhilaration. It is the cause of people getting drunk because of the "high" on alcohol