Alcoholism is also known as alcohol dependence. According to the American Psychological Association, those who are alcohol dependent experience tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Those with alcohol dependence cannot control their drinking. While alcohol abuse can have harmful effects, it is different from alcohol dependence. The Mayo Clinic explains that alcohol abuse can be distinguished from alcohol dependence by the absence of withdrawal symptoms and less of a compulsion or need to drink. Both alcohol abuse and dependence are serious and may require the help of a professional or Alcoholics Anonymous.
Tolerance and Withdrawal
A person who is alcohol dependent develops a tolerance for alcohol. The Mayo Clinic describes tolerance as needing to increase the amounts of alcohol consumed to feel the effects. Those with alcohol tolerance require increasingly more alcohol to become drunk or feel satisfied with the effects of alcohol.
Withdrawal occurs when alcohol consumption has been stopped. Withdrawal encompasses any number of physical symptoms. The American Psychological Association explains symptoms of withdrawal can be mild, such as nausea, sweating, restlessness, irritability or tremors, or more serious symptoms of hallucinating or convulsions.
Health-Related Problems
Excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time can cause a number of physical disorders. The Mayo Clinic lists digestive disorders including ulcers, liver damage, heart problems which can lead to stroke or heart failure, erectile dysfunction, menstruation disruption, eye problems, bone loss, neurological problems and an increased risk of cancer. The Mayo Clinic explains that those with diabetes increase the complications of the disease by consuming alcohol. Babies born to women who consumed alcohol while pregnant may have fetal alcohol syndrome.
Other Signs
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several other indicators of alcoholism. These include having a drinking routine, which if disrupted causes irritability; forgetting conversations or actions that occurred while under the influence of alcohol; decrease in or loss of interest in once enjoyable activities; drinking in secret or alone; rapid consumption of large amounts of alcohol to get drunk or storing alcohol in unusual places at home, the car or at work.
