Alcoholism means addiction to consuming alcoholic beverages despite the knowledge of their detrimental physical and social consequences. Medics define alcoholism as a disease which disables a person from controlling the urge to take alcohol. Alcoholism, therefore, implies a tendency for compulsive consumption of alcohol and an inability to acknowledge its negative effects.



There is another type of person who although has problems with consuming alcohol, is able to suppress its characteristics and symptoms. You could classify this type of conduct as alcohol abuse, which would imply that while alcohol is consumed in large quantities, the abuser is in some way able to have certain control over its use. We would have to conclude then that an alcohol abuser is not fully dependent on alcohol as is an alcoholic.

This is a very serious disease as backed up by statistics produced by the National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, which has estimated that in the region of 18 million Americans abuse alcohol. This is also highlighted by figures showing that over 100,000 Americans die of alcohol related health problems and that 50% of road deaths are due to driving under the influence of alcohol.

Even the hardened alcohol drinkers quite often refuse to admit they are addicts. They, therefore, try to drink stealthily. They keep their quota of drinks hidden at unlikely places in home, workplace or cars. Once they start drinking, they find it difficult to control their urge to drink more. They start gulping the liquor greedily ordering 'doubles'.

Their memory begins to fail them as they begin to forget their social commitments and this is medically termed as 'blacking out'. Interest is lost in any pleasurable entertainment or activity as their mind begins to only focus on the next drinking occasion. Irritation is caused if they are unable to get their next dose and they will eventually fall out with the most important people in their lives. Their tolerance to high alcohol levels grows and they end up just drinking more and more in order to feel its effects.

Alcoholism or physical dependence on alcohol takes place gradually. The increase in ingestion of alcohol alters the balance in brain chemicals such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which impedes its impulsiveness while glutamate excites the nervous system. Alcohol also elevates the dopamine level in the brain which is associated with the excitable aspects of drinking alcohol. Excessive and continued intake of alcohol affects the status of the chemicals by either multiplying or depleting them. This process causes the body to either crave for alcohol to restore the pleasurable feelings or to avoid negative feelings.