Understanding Alcoholism
Is alcoholism a disease?
Yes, alcoholism 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.
Four major symptoms are:
- A strong need or compulsion to drink.
- The inability to limit one’s drink consumption on any given occasion.
- Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
- The need to drink increased amounts of alcohol in order to sense effects of alcohol.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
