Alcoholism

It is commonly held that an alcoholic drinks in order to attain a euphoric state of mind. However, some researchers believe that it is not euphoria that the alcoholic seeks, but, more specifically, an escape from psychological pain. According to this view, to an alcoholic, sobriety is painful, and alcohol eases the pain. Most researchers, however, have not been able to explain alcoholism as simply a reaction to psychological distress. Instead, it is widely believed that physiological factors influence the alcoholic's drinking pattern.