Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the following four symptoms: Craving–A strong need, or urge, to drink.

Yes, alcoholism is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food

Research shows that the risk for developing alcoholism does indeed run in families. The genes a person inherits partially explain this pattern,

No, alcoholism cannot be cured at this time. Even if an alcoholic hasn’t been drinking for a long time, he or she

Yes, alcoholism can be treated. Alcoholism treatment programs use both counseling and medications to help a person stop drinking. Treatment has helped

Three oral medications–disulfiram (Antabuse®), naltrexone (Depade®, ReVia®), and acamprosate (Campral®)–are currently approved to treat alcohol dependence. In addition, an injectable, long-acting form

Alcoholism treatment works for many people. But like other chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma, there are varying

No. Alcoholism is only one type of an alcohol problem. Alcohol abuse can be just as harmful. A person can abuse alcohol

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism cut across gender, race, and nationality. In the United States, 17.6 million people–about l in every 12 adults–abuse

Answering the following four questions can help you find out if you or a loved one has a drinking problem: Have you