Alcoholism is a chronic, often
progressive disease that can be fatal. The condition involves a
preoccupation with alcohol and impaired control over alcohol intake. You
may continue to abuse alcohol despite serious adverse health, personal,
work-related and financial consequences. Alcoholism usually involves
physical dependence on the drug alcohol, but genetic, psychological and
social factors contribute to this addiction.
It's possible to have a problem with
alcohol, but not display all the characteristics of alcoholism. This is
known as "alcohol abuse," which means you engage in excessive drinking
that results in health or social problems, but you aren't dependent on
alcohol and haven't fully lost control over the use of alcohol.
Definition
Alcoholism is an illness marked by consumption of alcoholic beverages
at a level that interferes with physical or mental health, and social,
family, or occupational responsibilities. Alcoholism is divided into 2
categories: dependence and abuse.
People with alcohol dependence, the most severe alcohol disorder,
usually experience tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance is a need for
markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or the
desired effect. Withdrawal occurs when alcohol is discontinued or intake
is decreased. Alcohol dependents spend a great deal of time drinking
alcohol, and obtaining it.
Alcohol abusers are "problem drinkers", that is, they may have legal
problems, such as drinking and driving, or binge drinking (drinking 6 or
more drinks on one occasion). People who are dependent on or abuse
alcohol return to its use despite evidence of physical or psychological
problems. Those with dependence have more severe problems and a greater
compulsion to drink.
Alcohol
addiction
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