Alcoholism is defined as a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous or periodic: impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial.

Only a committee of doctors could come up with this long of a definition.

A much shorter definition is: "Alcoholism is a disease, both genetic and learned, both physical and psychological, that adversely affects both the mind and body of the alcoholic - and those that care about them."

Alcoholism myths

Myth: Alcoholics are weak. If they were stronger, they could just stop drinking.

Fact: Alcoholism is a disease not a moral weakness. Alcoholics are compelled to drink, and can only stop with help.

Myth: An alcoholic will only get better if they want to get better. I can't help him/her.

Fact: Alcoholics will usually only seek help if they "hit bottom," but that doesn't mean we have to help them drink. We can help by making them take responsibility for their actions by not lying for them, not helping them out of their messes, and not being financially supportive.

Myth: I can't become an alcoholic. It's only for bums and such.

Fact: Anyone can be an alcoholic. Alcoholism affects people of all classes, races, sexes, countries, etcs. Many famous figures in history were alcoholics.

Myth: I can't be an alcoholic. I'm a woman.

Fact: A woman is just as likely to become an alcoholic as a man. The ratio of women to men is leveling as more women today are willing to admit their problem publicly.

Myth: I never drink alone. I'm always with friends, so I can't be an alcoholic.

Fact: Where a person drinks is unimportant. How much and how often are more important than where. In fact, some alcoholics have "drinking buddies" - other alcoholics that they drink with on a regular basis.

Myth: I control my drinking. I only drink on the weekends, so I can't be an alcoholic.

Fact: This is called binge drinking - a period of abstinence from alcohol followed by large consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. It is a very common form of alcoholism - especially among college students.

Myth: I was always told you have to have blackouts to be an alcoholic.

Fact: Blackouts, caused by alcohol poisoning, usually only occurs after a large amount of alcohol has been ingested over a short period of time. Blackouts are a symptom of irresponsible alcohol consumption, not of alcoholism.

Myth: I only drink beer, so I can't be an alcoholic.

Fact: Alcohol is alcohol. It simply takes a greater quantity of beer to become inebriated.

Myth: Having a drink makes me feel better if I'm feeling sad or depressed.

Fact: Alcohol is a depressant. Although its initial effect is stimulating, the cumulative effect of several drinks actually serves to depress the areas of the brain which control motor functions and ability to make judgments and decisions. Alcohol is often a factor in suicide.

Myth: I can handle my liquor, so I must not be an alcoholic.

Fact: High tolerance to alcohol often takes a high consumption of alcohol. Alcoholics are famous for "drinking someone under the table" because non-alcoholics do not have a high-tolerance for alcohol.