Study shows hints as to why alcohol is addicting
The country as a whole treats people with drinking problems as second class citizens. Addiction to alcohol is typically hidden until it no longer can be. When it comes to DUI arrests, it is easier to criminalize both the act and the individual rather than looking at the physiology behind the cause of the "crime." Here's a new study that looks at more than the dangers of drinking and driving, and delves into the potential reason why people so easily develop alcohol addictions.
Light Alcohol Consumption Linked to β-Endorphin Release - Findings in rodents' midbrain area suggest role in ethanol reward and reinforcement - Modern Medicine: "Low to medium doses of ethanol -- 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0 grams -- led to a significant increase in dialysate content of β-endorphin compared to the saline group, but the 2.4-gram dose did not, the authors write.
'The current investigation demonstrated that at the level of midbrain/VTA systemic administration of ethanol mainly altered the release of β-endorphin in a dose-dependent manner with low to medium, but not high, doses of ethanol increasing β-endorphin release. This ethanol induced increase of β-endorphin release in the midbrain/VTA region may play a significant role in the ethanol-induced stimulation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system and the initiation of the processes of ethanol reward and reinforcement,' the authors conclude."
The act of drinking may be explainable in terms of chemistry as much as it is in terms of consciousness or will-power. I have long advocated a more treatment oriented approach (as opposed to a punish at all costs approach) to dealing with impaired driving. Emotions never win this argument, as everybody has a visceral reaction that demands a pound of flesh from those who hurt people by driving drunk, and also from those who might have but for the grace of god.
It is always encouraging to see science looking at the issue from an objective perspective.
