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Alcohol Addiction - What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems. It includes four symptoms:

• Craving - A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
• Impaired control - The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion.
• Physical dependence - Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
• Tolerance - The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.