ABSTRACT
Progress in alcoholism research is sometimes held up by thinking of alcoholism only as a specialty. The mechanisms of habit formation presents some of the social processes whereby habits can become instilled in human beings. More recently someone who has been involved in research into alcoholism has said ‘Never underestimate the strength of a habit.’ There are some other psychological processes that might be important in becoming someone who is alcohol dependent. The stronger the habit of drinking, the more salient or ‘pre-potent’ the drinking act amongst all possible actions, the more likely that emotional arousal will be interpreted in terms of need, desire or craving for alcohol. A great deal of work has now established that in fact most alcoholics are to some degree in control. Alcoholics are notorious for denial, rationalisation, inconsistency and ambivalence.
