Introduction
According to the American Medical Association (AMA), alcohol addiction or alcohol dependence is defined as a primary, chronic disease with psychological, genetic, and environmental factors influencing its manifestations and development.
Description
Alcohol addiction is characterized by:
- Lack of ability to control use of alcohol
- An extended period of heavy, frequent alcohol use
- Physical dependence manifested by withdrawal symptoms when the individual stops using alcohol
- A variety of legal and social problems arising from the use of alcohol
- The need or tolerance to use more and alcohol to achieve the same effects
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