Alcohol
An alcoholic is a person who suffers from alcoholism – they have a distinct physical desire to
consume alcohol beyond their capacity, regardless of all rules of common sense. According to
Alcoholics Anonymous UK, who say they have no unique definition for alcoholism, it may be
described as a physical compulsion, together with a mental obsession. Apart from having an
enormous craving for alcohol, an alcoholic often yields to that craving at the worst possible
times. The alcoholic knows neither when nor how to stop drinking.
Definition – an alcoholic is a person, while alcoholism is an illness. An alcoholic suffers from
alcoholism. Alcoholism is a long-term (chronic) disease.
Alcohol abuse generally refers to people who do not display the characteristics of alcoholism,
but still have a problem with it – they are not as dependent on alcohol as an alcoholic is; they
have not yet completely lost their control over its consumption.
Moderate alcohol consumption will not generally cause any psychological or physical harm.
However, for some individuals, social drinking eventually leads to heavier and heavier alcohol
consumption, which does cause serious health and psychological problems.
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