🍷 Alcohol dependence
An illness in which a person cannot stop drinking; it needs medical help.
Alcohol dependence is an illness in which a person cannot stop drinking even when alcohol harms them. It is not a weakness of character or just a habit. Alcohol changes how the brain works, and it becomes hard to control how much and when one drinks.
Signs include a strong craving for alcohol, inability to stop, growing amounts, feeling unwell without a drink, and worsening work, study and relationships. Dependence harms the liver, heart, nervous system and mind. It needs medical help. It is treated with therapy, medication, support from loved ones and mutual-help groups. The earlier a person asks for help, the better the result.
Alcohol dependence belongs to the topic of alcohol and health. There is no safe amount of alcohol for health, and the risk grows with quantity. If you or someone close faces this problem, contact a doctor or a helpline. This text is for reference and does not replace advice from a specialist.
How it connects to Wine
🍷 Alcohol dependence → kind of → 🍷 Alcohol and health → kind of → 🍷 Wine
How it connects to Spirits
🍷 Alcohol dependence ← affects ← 🌾 Vodka and grain spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- What affects it
- 🍯 Honey spirit drinks, 🥃 Ukrainian spirit traditions, 🍶 Asian spirit traditions, 🌱 Caraway spirits and aquavit, 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits, 🌾 Vodka and grain spirits, 🥚 Egg and cream liqueurs, 🏷️ Label, law and health, 🌼 Gentian spirit, 🍸 Bitter (bitter-tasting spirit drink)
and 12 more
🍸 Ukrainian horilka, 🍸 Vodka, 🥃 Soju, 🥃 Baijiu, 🥃 Jägermeister, 🥃 Campari, 🥃 Drambuie, 🥃 Finlandia, 🥃 Belvedere, 🥃 Cîroc, 🥃 Bartender, 🥃 Dongxiang baijiu - Part of
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🏷️ Label, law and health
Frequently asked questions
What is alcohol dependence?
An illness in which a person cannot stop drinking even when alcohol harms them.
What are the signs of alcohol dependence?
Strong craving, inability to stop, growing amounts, feeling unwell without alcohol, and problems in life.
Where can I get help?
From a doctor, addiction specialist or therapist, or a helpline in your country.
What to read next
- 🍸 Vodka — Vodka is a spirit drink made from agricultural ethyl alcohol: in the EU from 37.5% ABV with sugar up to 8 g/l; in the US 40% ABV (80 proof) or more, as neutral spirits.
- 🌾 Vodka and grain spirits — Vodka is a spirit made from agricultural ethyl alcohol, at least 37.5% ABV in the EU, never coloured. Flavoured vodka and grain spirit are separate categories; Polska Wódka is a protected name.
- 🍸 Bitter (bitter-tasting spirit drink) — Bitter is a spirit drink with a predominantly bitter taste: flavoured alcohol or distillate from 15% ABV (EU category 30). Rheinberger Kräuter (Underberg) is the best-known protected name; many bitters are legally liqueurs.
- 🥃 Jägermeister — Jägermeister is a German herbal liqueur from Wolfenbüttel: 56 herbs, flowers, roots and fruits are steeped in alcohol, then the base ages for about a year in oak casks. The classic is 35% ABV (70 proof).
- 🥃 Bartender — A bartender (barman) mixes and serves drinks behind the bar; Jerry Thomas described the craft in a book in 1862, and the International Bartenders Association has united bartenders since 1951.
Similar
🍷 Standard drink · 🍷 WHO on alcohol · 🍷 Hangover · 🍷 Alcohol and breastfeeding · 🍷 Alcohol in pregnancy · 🍷 Low-risk drinking guidelines