As reported by IZ with reference to SciTechDaily, a study by the University of Chicago sheds new light on why people with alcohol dependence and depression continue to drink alcohol, debunking the popular myth that they use it only to relieve negative emotions. The results of the study showed that these people get significant pleasure from alcohol, even despite the presence of depression, and this feeling of pleasure is no different from what people without depression experience. Scientists note that this discovery may lead to a review of approaches to treating alcoholism and depression.
The study involved 232 volunteers aged 21 to 35, half of whom had alcohol dependence and depression. All participants indicated high stimulation and pleasure from alcohol, even if they were experiencing depressive symptoms. This contradicts the commonly held belief that depressed alcoholics drink to relieve their suffering. Instead, this study found that their primary motivation is the pleasurable effects of alcohol.
The findings suggest that therapeutic strategies that focus solely on depression or stress may not be sufficient to effectively treat alcoholism. Instead, more attention should be paid to alcohol as a pleasurable factor that contributes to addiction. This finding could lead researchers to rethink treatment approaches, including a greater focus on neurochemical reward pathways.
Recall that we previously wrote about the health risks of drying laundry indoors.
