The CDC considers alcoholism a chronic disease. The specific signs and symptoms include: “a strong craving for alcohol, continued use despite repeated physical, psychological, or interpersonal problems, and the inability to limit drinking.” (http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm)
Although it is normal to engage in casual drinking, both publically and privately, it is interesting that individual opinions are skewed once one is pinned an alcoholic. It is socially acceptable to drink, but one may be considered weak or influenced by the power of alcohol if they cannot control their craving. It is important to consider the effect that alcohol has had on individuals, alcohol has contributed to dangerous acts such as drinking and driving, suicide, sexual assault, and high-risk sex. Alcoholism is not only affecting an individual, but the society in which the individual participates.
This made me think about the current state of individuals our age suffering with alcohol problems and I ran across an article Social Context of Drinking and Alcohol Problems Among College Students. This article addressed the social contexts of drinking and how it was related to alcohol-related disorders. The concept of alcoholism is so interesting to me because the behavior may have started as a social activity and is socially accepted, but can lead to many disparities in ones life if overused.
The article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2390773/