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Alcoholism is a chronic disorder characterized by the excessive and compulsive use of alcohol. Alcohol is a drug, a substance that affects the function (and often the judgment)of the person using it. Although alcohol is not illegal, it can still have negative effects when it is misused, and can lead to addiction. Alcoholism usually includes the following components:

• Craving. A strong urge to drink.
  
  
• Loss of control. The inability to limit intake or to stop drinking once started.
  
  
• Physical dependence. After heavy drinking, symptoms of withdrawal are experienced, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety.
  
  
• Tolerance. The need for increasingly greater amounts of alcohol to achieve the same level of intoxication.

Alcoholism is different from alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is defined as drinking that results in one or more of the following consequences in a 12-month period:

• Inability to fulfill major work, school or home responsibilities
  
  
• Drinking in dangerous situations, such as while driving a car or operating machinery
  
  
• Legal problems that result from drinking, such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol
  
  
• Ongoing relationship problems that worsen due to drinking

Unlike people with alcoholism, individuals who abuse alcohol do not crave alcohol or experience physical withdrawal symptoms if they do not drink. However, people who abuse alcohol can eventually develop alcoholism.

Although they do not meet the criteria for alcoholism or alcohol abuse, some people may be problem drinkers.

The following may indicate a problem with drinking alcohol:

• Feeling the need to cut down on drinking
  
  
• Becoming annoyed at criticism about drinking
  
  
• Feeling bad or guilty about drinking
  
  
• Having a drink in the morning to steady nerves or get rid of a hangover

Alcoholism depresses the central nervous system by acting as a sedative. Excessive alcohol use can result in harm to the brain and nervous system and cause fatigue, short-term memory loss and weakness and paralysis of the eye muscles. It can also cause the following health problems:

• Liver disease. Heavy drinking can cause alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). This can lead to cirrhosis (irreversible and progressive destruction of liver tissue).
  
  
• Gastrointestinal problems. Alcohol can cause inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis). It can also damage the pancreas (pancreatitis).
  
  
• Cardiovascular problems. Heavy drinking can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension) and damage the heart (cardiomyopathy).
  
  
• Diabetes complications. Alcohol prevents the release of glucose (blood sugar) from the liver and can cause it to fall too low (hypoglycemia). This is dangerous for people with diabetes.
  
  
• Sexual and menstrual dysfunction. Alcohol can cause erectile dysfunction in men and can interfere with menstruation in women.
  
  
• Birth defects. Drinking while pregnant can cause fetal alcohol syndrome. This condition results in a small head, heart defects, shortening of the eyelids and may lead to developmental disabilities in the child. Research also indicates that alcohol consumption during pregnancy may lead to behavioral problems in children.
  
  
• Neurological problems. Heavy drinking can affect the nervous system and cause numbness of the hands and feet, disordered thinking and dementia.
  
  
• Increased risk of cancer. Chronic drinking can increase the risk of developing cancers of the esophagus, larynx, liver and colon.

Alcoholism can also result in the following:

• Domestic abuse
• Divorce and impaired relationships (e.g., with friends, family members)
• Difficulty performing at work or school
• Financial problems
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Alcohol-related arrests
• Accidental injuries that occur while or after drinking
• Higher incidence of suicide and murder