The term alcoholic is commonly used to refer to a person who is severely dependent on alcohol as a direct result of their drinking pattern. Not all alcoholics are the same but often they have been heavy drinkers over a period of time.
Alcoholism affects both males and females of all ages and every ethnic culture.
Not everyone with an alcohol problem becomes an alcoholic. The type of alcoholic beverage one drinks and the amount of alcohol consumed does not determine whether someone is an alcoholic. There are some things that set the alcoholic apart from the social drinker or the problem drinker. Social drinkers do not experience problems when they drink and problem drinkers experience only mild to moderate level problems. The alcoholic has developed a physical and psychological dependence on the drug alcohol, lacks control over how much and what happens when he drinks, and has a higher tolerance so he needs more to drink to achieve the same effects.