Hester and Miller (2002) define alcoholism as a disease that includes craving for alcohol and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems (e.g., losing a job, getting arrested, etc.). Alcoholism is also said to include the following symptoms: strong need or compulsion to drink, the inability to limit oneÆs drinking on any given occasion, withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking and tolerance which is defined as the need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects. However, the authors do distinguish alcoholism from ôalcohol abuseö which is said to be a pattern of problem drinking with major health and societal conflicts but lacking the full addictive pattern associated with alcoholism. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of alcoholism focusing on the prevalence of the problem as well as its physical, social and psychological effects and the ultimate prognosis if the condition goes untreated.
Ketcham, Asbury, Schulstad and Ciaramicoli (2000) note that the problems of alcoholism and alcohol abuse are pervasive. According to the authors, approximately one fourth of American adults either report having a current problem with drinking or believe that they have drinking patterns that place them at risk for developing alcohol problems. It is estimated that about one in every 13 adults in the United States abuses alcohol or is an alcoholic.
In terms of demographics, Ketcham Asbury, Schulstad and Ciaramicoli (2000) also state that more men than women are alcohol dependent or experience alcohol-related problems with rates of alcoholism and alcohol problems being highest among young adults between 18 and 29 years of age and lowest among adults who are 65 years of age or older. Also, young non-black males are almost twice as likely as young black males to have an alcohol-use disorder. However, while alcoholism declines with age in both ethn...