Alcohol and caffeine are the two most widely abused substances in the world. Alcoholism is the much more serious addiction due to the severity of the addiction, the severity of the symptoms, and alcohol-related accidents.

Excessive alcohol consumption is an increasing problem. Researchers have found that 15% of the population in North America is considered to have a drinking problem, and that number is on the rise.

Alcohol abuse is different from alcoholism. Alcoholism can really be broken down into two essential categories: alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency. Alcohol dependency is the severe form called alcoholism. Once someone has an alcohol dependency, they consistently neglect some of their social obligations and activities in favour of activities that include drinking. They will also begin so show some of the serious symptoms of alcoholism. It is possible to have a serious problem with alcohol, but not show all the signs and symptoms of alcoholism. This is often termed "alcohol abuse" rather than alcoholism. Alcohol abuse results from excessive drinking and it typically causes fewer social and health problems, but it is still considered a serious condition.

Habitual alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholism. Alcoholism is generally considered a problem that will get progressively worse if left untreated. It starts with a mild preoccupation with alcohol and gradually takes control over your behaviour and your life.

Early signs of alcoholism include frequent alcohol abuse, or a documented pattern of very heavy drinking at less frequent intervals (heavy drinking once a week is typically considered alcoholism). Other early symptoms include drinking until there are marked behaviour changes (notable behaviour changes are anger, violence, or depression), or drinking until blackouts occur. With most cases of alcoholism, the signs and symptoms of alcoholism become increasingly more severe.

The essential sign of alcoholism is when someone continues to drink after it causes him or her physical, mental, social, occupational, or legal problems. If drinking causes someone to miss work, neglect personal obligations, drive drunk or get in trouble with the law, then this person has a serious problem with alcohol.

Alcoholism is most often started in behavior developed during the teenage years.

Drinking alcohol can cause permanent brain damage. Drinking excessively harms your brain can lead to a permanent loss of coordination, impaired judgment, slowed reflexes, loss of vision, poor memory, and even impaired brain function.

Drinking alcohol can cause permanent physical damage to your body. Alcohol is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and can raise your risk for a range of life-threatening diseases. The symptoms of prolonged alcoholism tend to include: increased tolerance for alcohol / frequent blackouts / abdominal pain or gastro-intestinal problems like acid reflux, bouts of alcoholic gastritis or ulcers / nausea / redness or swelling of the nose, eyes, or face / numbness in the arms or legs / damage to the liver / loss of coordination, vision, balance and speech / hypoglycemia / diseased esophagus / pancreatitis / and impotence.

Drinking alcohol can be fatal. Drinking large quantities of alcohol has often led to coma or even death (even after just one night of drinking).