A: Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," is a disease that includes four symptoms:

Craving; a strong need or compulsion to drink.
Loss of control; an inability to limit drinking on a given occasion.
Physical dependence; withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety occur when alcohol consumption is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
Tolerance; a need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effect.
People who are not alcoholic sometimes do not understand why an alcoholic cannot just "use a little willpower" to stop drinking. In reality, alcoholism has little to do with willpower. The disease creates a powerful, uncontrollable need for alcohol that overrides the ability to stop drinking. This need can be as strong as the need for food or water.

Although some people are able to recover from alcoholism without help, the majority of alcoholics need assistance. With treatment and support, many individuals are able to stop drinking and build a life without alcohol.

Why can one person consume alcohol without problems, but another cannot? One reason is genetics. Scientists have found that having an alcoholic family member makes it more likely that, if a relative chooses to drink, he or she may develop alcoholism. Genes, however, are not the whole story. In fact, scientists now believe that certain factors in a person's environment – friends, family, culture - also influences whether a person with a genetic risk for alcoholism will develop the disease.

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