posted Jul 24, 2012, 11:42 AM by Rhonda Perez [ updated Jul 24, 2012, 11:42 AM ]
Many people who drink a lot never cross the line into full blown alcoholism. Alcoholism is also known as alcohol dependence syndrome. This is a disease, and it is characterized by the following features: craving (a strong need or compulsion to drink), loss of control (an inability to stop drinking once you start), t
olerance (more alcohol needed in order to get the same effect), and physical dependence (withdrawal symptoms after stopping that usually go away after dinking again). Some of the withdrawal symptoms include nausea, sweating, shaking, and anxiety. Despite what we may assume, alcoholism doesn’t have anything to do with what type of alcohol you drink, or even with how much is consumed. A beer only drinker is just as likely to develop this disease as someone who only drinks hard liquor. The disease is characterized by a person’s uncontrollable need for the alcohol.
