Alcoholism is a chronic illness characterized by the habitual intake of alcohol. 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. Spotting the signs and symptoms of alcoholism is not always easy.