Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions. In common and historic usage, alcoholism refers to any condition that results in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite the health problems and negative social consequences it causes.

The Journal of the American Medical Association defines alcoholism as “a primary, chronic disease characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking.

The term “alcoholism” was first used in 1849 by the physician Magnus Huss to describe the systematic adverse effects of alcohol. The modern medical definition of alcoholism has been revised numerous times since then. It is common for a person suffering from alcoholism to drink well after physical health effects start to manifest.

The social problems arising from alcoholism can be significant. Because alcohol use disorders are perceived as impacting society as a whole, governments and parliaments have formed alcohol policies in order to reduce the harm of alcoholism. A variety of medications may be prescribed as part of treatment for alcoholism. Acamprosate (also known as Campral) is thought to stabilize the chemical balance of the brain that would otherwise be disrupted by alcoholism.

The quantity, frequency and regularity of alcohol consumption required to develop alcoholism varies greatly from person to person. According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, alcoholism is the popular term for alcohol dependence. Those who approach alcoholism as a medical condition or disease recommend differing treatments than, for instance, those who approach the condition as one of social choice. The treatment community for alcoholism typically supports an abstinence-based zero tolerance approach; however, there are some who promote a harm-reduction approach as well. The effectiveness of alcoholism treatments varies widely.