A Survey of the important causes of using alcohol among

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disabling addictive disorder. A combination of supportive therapy and counseling approach are helpful in harm-reduction approach. T his study was conducted to find the reasons of alcohol dependence among members of Alcoholic Anonymous in Karaj city during 2007-2008. This cross-sectional study included 227 cases of Alcoholic Anonymous community of Karaj that were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaireand and were analyzed by descriptive statidtical methods. The results demonstrated that individual causes with the mean of 41.91 and standard deviation of 9.1 have high effect lack of peer and family support has moderate effect with mean of 27.1 and standard deviation of 8.4 and mental and psychological factors with mean of 36.8 and standard deviation of 9.2 has high effect and socioeconomical factors with the mean of 24.1 and standard deviation of 5.4 has high effect in misuse of alcohol. Also there were significant correlations between: individual factors and age (P=0.006) personal factors and job (P=0.04) family support and mother's education (P=0.006) family support and self- education (P=0.001) family support and job (P=0.002) and mental factors and socioeconomic status (P=0.047). Targeting adolescents and young adults is regarded as an important step to reduce the harm of alcohol abuse. D iscovering the reasons of misusing alcohol and restricting the leading causes is recommended as additional ways of reducing the harm of alcohol dependence and abuse.