alcoholism

Plural: alcoholisms

Noun

• habitual intoxication; prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks leading to a breakdown in health and an addiction to alcohol such that abrupt deprivation leads to severe withdrawal symptoms
• an intense persistent desire to drink alcoholic beverages to excess
• A chronic disease caused by compulsive and uncontrollable consumption of alcoholic beverages, leading to addiction and deterioration in health and social functioning.
• Acute alcohol poisoning.

Synonyms

alcohol addiction, dipsomania, drunkenness, inebriation, potomania

Related Words

alco, alcoholic, alcoholical, alcoholically, alcoholicity, alcoholise, alcoholist, alcoholize, alkie, alky, non-alcoholic, nonalcoholic