ALCOHOLISM

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

I. (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An intense persistent desire to drink alcoholic beverages to excess

Synonyms:

alcoholism; dipsomania; potomania

Classified under:

Nouns denoting goals

Hypernyms ("alcoholism" is a kind of...):

cacoethes; mania; passion (an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Habitual intoxication; prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks leading to a breakdown in health and an addiction to alcohol such that abrupt deprivation leads to severe withdrawal symptoms

Synonyms:

alcohol addiction; alcoholism; drunkenness; inebriation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("alcoholism" is a kind of...):

drug addiction; white plague (an addiction to a drug (especially a narcotic drug))

Credits

Context examples:

Autonomic nervous system disorders can occur alone or as the result of another disease, such as Parkinson's disease, alcoholism and diabetes.

(Autonomic Nervous System Disorders, NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

M. szulgai is found in the environment, primarily in water, and it rarely causes infection, but may cause pulmonary disease in patients with a history of alcoholism, cigarette smoking, obstructive pulmonary disease, or immunocompromised patients.

(Mycobacterium szulgai, NCI Thesaurus)

Also called alcoholism.

(Alcohol dependence, NCI Dictionary)

Alcoholism is a disease with four main features: • Craving - a strong need to drink • Loss of control - not being able to stop drinking once you've started • Physical dependence - withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, or shakiness when you don't drink • Tolerance - the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to feel the same effect

(Alcoholism, NIH: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

Alcoholism carries many serious dangers.