Alcoholism

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence syndrome, is a general term describing many types of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence defines alcoholism as a “chronic disease … characterized by a continuous or periodic impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial.” Other authorities contend that alcoholism is not actually a disease, but rather a symptom of other physical and psychological disorders. Despite moral, medical, or philosophical disagreements about the problem, alcoholism is understood to be an individual’s compulsive craving for and overconsumption of alcohol.