What is the physiological purpose of alcoholism? Why would the body, brain, and nervous system adapt around compulsive alcohol use, even when it causes harm? It’s a highly intelligent, survival-based adaptation, with roots in trauma, disconnection, emotional pain, and nervous system overwhelm.
Alcoholism or Alcohol Use Disorder is a chronic condition where a person feels compelled to consume alcohol, often losing control over their use and continuing despite harmful consequences, physical, emotional, relational, spiritual. But the real question is: What is it solving for the body? What need is it meeting before it becomes destructive?
Physiological & Neurobiological Purpose of Alcoholism, Is nervous System Regulation
Alcohol affects GABA, glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin — which are all involved in stress regulation, inhibition, and pleasure.
Purpose
Regulate a dysregulated system when nothing else works