Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol dependence or 'alcoholism' is a big and very real issue for many people.
What is alcohol dependence?
Alcohol dependence is a physical and psychological addiction to alcohol. It is to do with a person's growing or uncontrollable need for alcohol.
Common signs include:
- Strong cravings to drink alcohol
- Loss of control
- Inability to stop drinking once a person has begun
- Withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking
- These symptoms are usually relieved by drinking alcohol or by taking another sedative drug
- Increased tolerance and a need for increasing amounts of alcohol
- Drinking habits change: drinking alone, drinking throughout the day, drinking becomes part of a routine day.
