Alcoholism, known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic diseases characterized by compulsive drinking, cravings for alcohol, and difficulty controlling the amount of alcohol consumed. It can lead to physical dependence on alcohol, as well as serious health problems. While there is no set timeline for when alcoholism happens, the more alcohol a person consumes, the more likely they are to become addicted.
Heavy drinking can be defined as drinking more than four beverages in a single day or 14 drinks per week for men, or more than three beverages per day or more than seven drinks per week for women. Binge drinking, which is drinking to the point of intoxication, is most often on the verge of being alcoholic or one already is, with a man binging when he drinks five or more drinks within two hours, and a woman binging when she drinks four or more drinks within two hours. However, not all people who drink heavily or binge are alcoholics if they do not experience serious consequences due to their drinking.
Identifying alcoholism is detailed but generally, people who are alcoholics will have suffered adverse consequences due to their drinking. Most alcoholics also have failing health if they escape legal, financial, or relationship problems. Liver damage and other deadly conditions are likely when someone is an alcoholic. While it may take different amounts of time for different individuals to become alcoholics, the general consensus is that alcoholism is a preventable and treatable disease., the exact amount of time it takes to become an alcoholic varies from person to person, and early intervention and treatment can significantly impact an individual's alcohol consumption and overall health.
