Alcoholism is the disease in which a person is addicted to alcohol.
According to the National Council on Alcoholism , twelve million Americans are estimated to be alcoholics, and they may exhibit different symptoms. An alcoholic may not drink for months or even years, but when they do, they cannot stop. This is the only sure sign of an alcoholic, a consistent lack of control. Many use alcohol to boost their self-confidence and to relax around others. They may drink to forget their problems or to relieve stress and often want just one more drink, even when their friends have stopped drinking.