Alcoholism

Alcoholism

Overview : Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease that can be fatal. The condition involves a preoccupation with alcohol and impaired control over alcohol intake. You may continue to abuse alcohol despite serious adverse health, personal, work-related and financial consequences. Alcoholism usually involves physical dependence on the drug alcohol, but genetic, psychological and social factors contribute to this addiction.

It's possible to have a problem with alcohol, but not display all the characteristics of alcoholism. This is known as "alcohol abuse," which means you engage in excessive drinking that results in health or social problems, but you aren't dependent on alcohol and haven't fully lost control over the use of alcohol.

According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, about 18 million Americans abuse alcohol. Each year more than 100,000 Americans die of alcohol-related causes. Alcohol is a factor in nearly half of all traffic deaths.

Signs and symptoms:

Most alcoholics deny that they have a drinking problem. Other signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse include:

* Drinking alone or in secret

* Not remembering conversations or commitments -- sometimes referred to as "blacking out"

* Making a ritual of having drinks before, with or after dinner and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned

* Losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring pleasure

* Feeling a need to drink

* Irritability as usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available

* Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in the car

* Gulping drinks, ordering doubles, becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good or drinking to feel "normal"

* Having legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or finances

* Building up a tolerance to alcohol so that you