Alcoholism is a chronic disease characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, mood, and behavior.
Alcoholism is a chronic disease characterized by the following four symptoms:
1. Impaired control over drinking: A person with alcoholism struggles to control their alcohol intake and may have difficulty limiting the amount of alcohol they consume. This can lead to frequent binge drinking, blackouts, or uncontrolled drinking.
2. Preoccupation with alcohol: An individual with alcoholism may constantly think about alcohol and how to obtain it. They may also be preoccupied with the effects of drinking, such as how it will affect their mood, behavior, and relationships.
3. Use of alcohol despite adverse consequences: A person with alcoholism continues to drink despite experiencing negative consequences, such as health problems, legal issues, social problems, or relationship problems.
4. Distortions in thinking, mood, and behavior: Individuals with alcoholism may experience changes in their thought processes, mood, and behavior due to alcohol consumption. This can include increased anxiety, depression, anger, impulsivity, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.
The first symptom, impaired control over drinking, can lead to frequent binge drinking, blackouts, and uncontrolled alcohol consumption. The preoccupation with alcohol symptom involves a constant thought about alcohol and how to obtain it, as well as being preoccupied with the effects of drinking on mood, behavior, and relationships. The third symptom, using alcohol despite adverse consequences, can result in health problems, legal issues, social problems, and relationship problems. Finally, the distortions in thinking, mood, and behavior symptom can manifest as increased anxiety, depression, anger, impulsivity, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating, among others.
