Dopamine and Addiction
Alcohol and some drugs typically cause the brain to release dopamine, which is a chemical messenger that produces euphoric feelings in the brain’s “reward center.” However, chronic substance use can deplete dopamine in the brain and cause people to crave more alcohol or drugs, leading to addiction.
How many drinks per day make someone an alcoholic?
According to the National Institutes of Health, it’s problematic for women to regularly drink more than three drinks per day and for men to regularly drink more than four drinks per day.