| Alcoholism is the inability to control or ignore a strong | | | | "blacking out"), ritually drinking at certain times during the |
| craving for alcohol. People suffering from alcoholism | | | | day and becoming irritable when this ritual is disturbed, |
| often find that they need the aid of alcohol to feel | | | | feeling the need to drink to feel normal, loss of interest |
| good or normal. They often crave alcohol, but this | | | | in relationships or activities that were once enjoyed, |
| craving is much stronger than the occasional craving | | | | experiencing financial, marital, or legal problems caused |
| people have for certain foods. The craving for alcohol | | | | by drinking, building a tolerance to alcohol or |
| experienced by those suffering from alcoholism is | | | | experiencing withdrawal symptoms if alcohol is not |
| often so severe that the individual feels they need | | | | available. These symptoms are just a few of the |
| alcohol as if it were food or water. They do not feel | | | | possible symptoms that could be displayed by |
| they can go a day, or in some extreme cases, an | | | | alcoholics. |
| hour, without consuming alcohol. | | | | Studies show that some individuals are more likely to |
| Alcoholism is not characterized by the type of alcohol | | | | experience alcoholism at some point in their lives than |
| consumed or how much alcohol is needed to satisfy | | | | others. For example, genetics can play a role in |
| the craving. Alcoholism is characterized mostly by the | | | | whether or not a person is likely to be drawn to |
| loss of control. Alcoholics often build up a tolerance to | | | | alcohol. Often the children of alcoholics will have a |
| alcohol over time. This means they need more and | | | | higher risk of one day becoming an alcoholic |
| more alcohol to satisfy their need for it. As they | | | | themselves. Psychological problems also increase the |
| consume more and more alcohol, serious health | | | | risk for alcoholism. Individuals suffering from depression, |
| problems manifest themselves. Alcoholism also affects | | | | attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorder and many |
| the sufferer psychologically, as well as physically. | | | | other psychological disorders often turn to alcohol to |
| Alcoholism differs from alcohol abuse in that a person | | | | make them feel better or ease their suffering. This |
| who abuses alcohol does not display a loss of control | | | | often turns into a dependency. |
| over their drinking. An individual who abuses alcohol | | | | There are many health problems that are caused by |
| may act irresponsibly while under the influence. They | | | | alcoholism. Alcoholism depresses the central nervous |
| may also put themselves and others in danger by | | | | system. Over time, alcoholism can cause fatigue, |
| driving or operating machinery while drinking. | | | | paralysis of the muscles surrounding the eyes and |
| Relationships may suffer, as with alcoholism and work | | | | short-term memory loss. Other, more life-threatening |
| performance may become careless. While alcohol | | | | health problems caused by alcoholism include cirrhosis |
| abuse differs from alcoholism, it can be a serious | | | | of the liver, high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, |
| problem and should not be ignored. | | | | gastrointestinal problems, neurological disorders, sexual |
| There are many symptoms of alcoholism. Many of the | | | | dysfunction and bone loss. Alcoholism also increases |
| symptoms of alcohol abuse are also displayed by | | | | the risk of certain cancers, such as cancer of the |
| those suffering from alcoholism. Some symptoms | | | | esophagus, larynx, liver and colon. If left untreated, |
| include drinking alone or secretly (hiding the fact that | | | | alcoholism can lead to death. |
| they are drinking), memory loss (also known as | | | | |