Why is Alcohol so Addictive?

Why alcohol is so addictive?
It acts on the mood centres of the brain. In people with a genetic predisposition to alcoholism and other addictive behaviours, this sets up a craving for more. It is the first drink that leads to the next and then the next.

People who are born with an addictive nature have an inexplicable sense of inner emptiness. In that state they tend to blame their outside circumstances and do everything they can to change them. But the central problem is inside them, in the structure and function of the mood centres of the brain. Therefore the problems go wherever those people go.

These ‘alcoholics’ have these mood problems before they ever take alcohol. They discover that alcohol works in changing their mood, whereas potatoes and rhubarb do not. Therefore they continue to use alcohol in good times and bad whereas they might not be too bothered about potatoes and rhubarb.

As time goes on, the mood centres get bashed about and become less efficient in their response to alcohol. ‘Tolerance’ develops. A larger quantity of alcohol is needed to get the same mood-altering result. The addiction takes hold and inexorably progresses.