An alcoholic is a person who is physically and mentally dependent on alcohol. A person often becomes an alcoholic when they abuse alcohol to the point that they get addicted to it. Today, the term "alcohol use disorder" (AUD) is the one that is used most often to refer to alcoholism.

​

Alcohol abuse is the deliberate overconsumption of alcohol, i.e., drinking till intoxicated. This could even include binge drinking at celebratory events. It is thought that excessive alcohol consumption is:

​

• At least four drinks per drinking occasion for women.

• At least five drinks per drinking occasion for men.

Here, one standard drink equals:

​

• One 12-ounce bottle of beer, or

• One 12-ounce bottle of wine, or

• One 5-ounce glass of wine, or

• 1.5 ounces of liquor

​

Alcohol use disorder (AUD), on the other hand, is a disease that causes:

​

• A strong desire to consume alcohol.

• Loss of control, i.e., the inability to stop drinking after you've begun.

• Negative emotional state, i.e., feeling agitated and anxious if you could drink.

Sadly, society has stigmatized and assigned stereotypes to alcoholics. Because of this, the community believes that alcoholism exclusively affects weak-willed, illiterate, destitute, morally repugnant, or even have a particular skin complexion or cultural background.

​

Some avoid assistance because they wouldn't want to face social stigma, or perhaps they don't match this stereotype. They consider themselves "normal" people who can continue their daily lives despite heavy drinking.

​

Alcoholism is an illness that may harm anybody, including the young, beautiful, strong, wealthy, and educated, even though some traits that match the stereotype are just the risk factors of alcoholism.