A:While the exact cause of alcohol addiction is still unknown, there are a wide range of factors that contribute to a person's risk of developing an alcohol addiction, including family history of alcohol use disorder, having more than 15 drinks per week for men or 12 drinks per week for women, drinking at a young age, and underlying mental health conditions. Other factors that can increase a person's risk of alcohol use disorder include peer pressure, low self-esteem, high stress levels, or living in a culture where alcohol use is common and accepted.