It’s all too common for heavy drinkers and partygoers. The pounding headache, the nausea, the dizziness, and sometimes vomiting are all symptoms you may experience after a long night out on the town. It’s a feeling that can be so miserable you may never want to get drunk again, but somehow the drinks are still pouring at the next party.

Scientists discovered in a new study published in PLOS ONE why we experience hangovers. They say their findings are critical to helping alcoholics with their addiction. In the study, researchers used lab rats to test how alcohol affects their bodies, giving them a significant amount of strong alcohol over a few weeks.

What they discovered was that the rats who drank heavier had a disabled lateral habenula. The lateral habenula is a region of the brain that is linked to depression and avoidance behaviors. It is also responsible for a hangover. Scientists say it is activated by bad experiences and, when underactive, people may be more likely to repeat unhealthy behavior.

“Rats with an inactivated lateral habenula sought out the juice more than control animals, even though it meant a repeat of the bad experience. If we can understand the brain circuits that control sensitivity to alcohol’s aversive effects, then we can start to get a handle on who may become a problem drinker," said lead researcher of the study, Professor Sharif Taha. From the rats, the scientists concluded that when the lateral habenula is inactivated, people are more likely to repeat heavy drinking despite their experiences.

Every year, there are 88,000 deaths as a result of excessive alcohol use in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also says that excessive alcohol use is the third leading cause of death. The CDC defines binge drinking for women as four or more drinks in one sitting and five or more drinks in one setting for men. Heavy drinking would be eight drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks a week for men. It is recommended to drink one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men. If you are pregnant, on strong medications, or about to drive, then you should completely avoid all alcohol.

Excessive drinking can cause accidents, falls, violence, miscarriages, and alcohol poisoning. Long-term health issues include liver damage, depression, dementia, and different cancers. Scientists from the University of Utah hope this research will help to treat alcoholism, a disease that affects thousands of people every year.

Source: Taha SA, Haack AK, Sheth C, Schwager AL, Sinclair MS, Tandon S. Lesions of the Lateral Habenula Increase Voluntary Ethanol Consumption and Operant Self-Administration, Block Yohimbine-Induced Reinstatement of Ethanol Seeking, and Attenuate Ethanol-Induced Conditioned Taste Aversion. PLOS ONE. 2014.