Journal of Emerging Scholarship

Substance use disorder is defined as the perpetual craving and re- peated use of a drug despite its negative impact on the user and their overall well-being. One drug that is very common in substance use disorders is alcohol. Alcohol serves as a stimulant drug in small doses, but when large amounts are consumed, it acts as a depressant. There are a number of biological, psychological, and social causes and negative effects of alcohol use disorder. Despite often being taken for granted, alcohol contributes to a significant number of deaths in the United States every year. Studying and understanding alcohol use disorder through what is termed a “biopsychosocial lens” can help researchers and health officials continue to determine the causes for this disorder, as well as potential treatments for individuals living with it. Additionally, cultural differences must be considered when making any generalizations about alcohol use disorder, or the groups of people that it impacts. Future research will likely continue to build on what researchers already know and may eventually lead to a better understanding of the disorder, and even more effective methods of treatment.

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