Alcohol use is to the degree that it interferes with physical or mental health or with normal social or work behavior. Alcohol produces both physical and psychological addiction. It is a central nervous system depressant that reduces anxiety, inhibition, and feelings of guilt. It lowers alertness and impairs perception, judgment, and motor coordination. In high doses, it can cause loss of consciousness and even death.
Chronic alcoholism damages the brain, liver, heart, and other organs.
Many people wonder what causes alcoholism. No one can become an alcoholic if they do not drink alcohol. For people who do choose to drink alcohol, some seem to be able to drink without problems, while others do not. Alcoholism is chronic, and the disease won't go away on its own. Without treatment, alcoholism can cause death.