What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a disease also known as alcohol dependence. Alcoholism is the most severe stage of a drinking problem and it can be life-threatening.

Alcoholism can develop slowly and silently, and many times there is no clear line between problem drinking and alcoholism. Eventually alcohol takes over the thinking, emotions, and actions of the person, demanding and ultimately taking control of their life.

For people with alcoholism, the alcohol becomes the center of their life, it controls almost all everything they do. It becomes the only way they can deal with their family, work, stress, and almost every other aspect of their life. They are preoccupied with their drinking habit, denying their own addiction, and they continue to drink even though they are well aware of the dangers.

Over time, some people become able to tolerate the effects of drinking and require more alcohol to become intoxicated, which makes them think that they can "hold their liquor." Therefore, the more a person drinks, the more they need to feel "high".

Alcoholism can be identified by the following symptoms:

* Craving alcohol

* Loss of drinking control

* Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shaking and anxiety when not drinking

* A high alcohol tolerance

* Little or no control over when or the quantity that they drink

* Missing normal family activities because of blackouts or hungover

* Drinking early in the day

* In severe cases, alcoholics often have a history of accidents, problem in their marriage, and inability to keep a job.

* Alcohol-related health problems

* Episodes of violence toward spouse and/or children

Sources:

http://www.medicinenet.com/alcohol_abuse_and_alcoholism/article.htm
http://www.aarecovery.com/alcoholism.html