| There are many definitions of alcoholism. The most | | | | Addiction to alcohol will cause alcohol dependence. |
| common definition of alcoholism is that" alcoholism is a | | | | Alcohol dependence will cause social and work related |
| horrible disease that affects the whole person. | | | | problems. The drinker will experience the problems of |
| However this definition is applicable to cancer or other | | | | shaking, sweating and nausea when he tries to stop |
| dreadful disease. Alcoholism can not be defined simply | | | | drinking at this stage. Alcohol dependence will show |
| as a disease caused due to prolonged consumption of | | | | some of the following symptoms: |
| alcohol. The amount and frequency of drinking will | | | | 1. Changes in tolerance level. |
| determine alcoholism. | | | | 2. The drinker will take more alcohol to avoid |
| A correct definition of alcoholism is that it is a chronic | | | | withdrawal symptoms. |
| disorder characterized by some loss of control over | | | | 3. He will lose control over drinking. |
| drinking. Drinking more frequently and at inappropriate | | | | 4. He may spend more time in drinking and will recover |
| times will indicate alcoholism. Alcoholism is a common | | | | from it only after long period of time. |
| term for two disorders. They are alcohol abuse and | | | | 5. He will lose interest in social and recreational |
| alcohol dependence. | | | | activities. |
| The medical definition of alcoholism describes | | | | 6. He will continue to drink though he knows the |
| alcoholism as a disease caused due to continuous | | | | adverse effects of drinking. |
| consumption of alcohol. The quantity and frequency of | | | | Definition of alcoholism explains the effects of this |
| alcohol consumption required to develop alcoholism will | | | | problem. Alcoholism will lead most of the alcoholics |
| vary from person to person. | | | | drinking heavily than the normal amount. Loss of control |
| Alcoholism is related with some other terms also. They | | | | will happen in this stage. In fact loss of control is a clear |
| include use, misuse, heavy use, abuse and | | | | symptom of alcoholism. As the drinker continues to |
| dependence. Use is a term which simply refers to a | | | | drink, his body will get increased tolerance towards |
| person who drinks any alcoholic products. Misuse and | | | | alcohol. Therefore the drinker will not get full content by |
| heavy use do not have any standard definitions. | | | | consuming the regular amount of alcohol. He will require |
| Heavy use of alcohol will vary from person to person | | | | drinking more. Withdrawal symptoms like nausea, |
| depending upon the age, alcohol brand and so on. | | | | sweating and shaking will also appear. |
| Alcohol abuse is one of the serious problems which will | | | | Alcohol problems will vary from person to person. The |
| cause poor nutrition, memory loss, difficulty in walking | | | | severity of alcoholism will also vary from drinker to |
| and liver diseases. It will also lead to mental stress, | | | | drinker. Some may experience life threatening |
| depression, fatigue, employment problems, family | | | | problems. Liver dysfunction, brain disorders etc will also |
| problems etc. Alcohol abuse will also lead the drinker in | | | | occur. Rightly said, alcoholism is a horrible disease. |
| some legal problems at some point in his life. The | | | | However it is possible to avoid the disease. The |
| drinker will continue to drink at this stage irrespective of | | | | willingness of the drinker to quit drinking is a must for |
| his health and family problems. | | | | getting rid of alcoholism. |