WHAT IS ALCOHOLISM? WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water. An alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious family, health, or legal problems. Like many other diseases, alcoholism is chronic, meaning that it lasts a person’s lifetime; it usually follows a predictable course; and it has symptoms. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a person’s genes and by his or her lifestyle. Alcoholism is characterized by the following four symptoms: • Craving: A strong need, or urge, to drink. • Loss of control: Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun. • Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking. • Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get “high.” WHEN SHOULD I SEEK HELP? WHAT IF I’M NOT AN ALCOHOLIC? Alcoholism is only one type of alcohol problem. Alcohol abuse can be just
