Alcohol is addictive, and heavy long-term use results in many negative health and social consequences.

Dec 10, 2025 · What Does the Term 'Alcoholic' Mean? The term alcoholic refers to a person with a condition known as alcohol use disorder (AUD). The disorder makes a person who has it experience …

Jun 11, 2024 · Alcohol use disorder (sometimes called alcoholism) is a common medical condition. In this disorder, people can’t stop drinking, even when drinking affects their health, puts their safety at …

National surveys show that millions of Americans have AUD. What Increases the Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder? A person’s risk for developing AUD depends in part on how much, how often, and how …

May 18, 2022 · Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking that's sometimes called alcoholism. Unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other …

Jul 28, 2025 · To be diagnosed with alcoholism, individuals must meet any two of the below criteria within the same 12-month period: 2. Using alcohol in higher amounts or for a longer time than …

Jul 4, 2023 · Alcohol use disorder (formerly known as alcoholism) is a form of substance use disorder. Changes in the brain make it difficult to reduce or stop alcohol use, but treatment can help.

Jan 14, 2025 · Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking during pregnancy or by people younger than 21. Drinking less is better for your health than drinking more. …

Dec 24, 2025 · As the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) defines it, alcohol use disorder is simply, uncontrolled and problematic drinking.

Need help with a drinking problem? A.A. has a solution. That isn't an empty promise. A.A. has been helping alcoholics recover for more than 80 years. A.A.'s program of recovery is built on the simple …