Alcoholism can simply be defined as alcohol dependence or continued consumption of alcohol despite the negative consequences it poses on an individual's health and social relationships. It is viewed differently by various groups of people. Some think that alcoholism is a self-inflicted condition that can be stopped if the alcoholic wishes to. As a result, those who fail to easily withdraw from using alcohol are deemed to be weak. On the other hand, some people understand that alcohol dependency is an illness and an addiction. Both of these beliefs can be true though those who fail to withdraw from alcohol usage are not necessarily weak. It is really hard to stop an addiction, most especially if the reason behind an addiction is still left unresolved. This is the reason why psychological treatments are also given to the patients who are working towards ending their addiction. Psychological treatment is administered to help resolve the alcoholic's underlying issues and to help prevent a relapse.

Severe cases of alcoholism have four basic manifestations:

Craving or obsession with drink. Many alcoholics become aware that they have a problem in the middle stage of their alcoholism and yet they choose to continue drinking alcohol because it's a compulsion they cannot avoid. Impaired control. Alcoholics tend to lose control over the frequency and the place where they drink, which is why they often get into trouble such as law disobedience or losing their job. Physical dependence on alcohol. Alcoholics do not only have a psychological dependence on consuming alcohol. Abrupt withdrawal from alcohol use may lead to physical conditions like nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety. Many people would rather consume more alcohol than to feel these consequences. Alcohol tolerance. Alcoholics tend to consume more and more alcohol as they become addicted to it because the body no longer recognizes it and then becomes immune to its effect. Alcohol's effects become recognized only when greater amounts are take in.

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