Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a dependency on alcohol characterized by craving (a strong need to drink), loss of control (being unable to stop drinking despite a desire to do so), physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms, and tolerance (increasing difficulty of becoming drunk).

Alcohol politics and public health

Because alcoholism affects society as a whole, governments and parliaments have formed alcohol policies in order to reduce the harm of alcoholism. Research has suggested that taxation and a ban on advertising are the most effective ways to reduce alcohol consumption. Educational prevention has shown to be only effective by raising the level of knowledge and perhaps the readiness to accept higher prices. (T. Babor, et.al.: No Ordinary Commodity: Alcohol and Public Policy, Oxford Press, 2003) The World Health Organization, the European Union and other regional bodies are working on alcohol action plans and programs.

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Organisations working with alcoholics include:

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• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• IOGT International (IOGT)
• LifeRing Secular Recovery (LifeRing)
• Men For Sobriety (MFS)
• Moderation Management (MM)
• Rational Recovery (RR)
• Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)
• Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART)
• Women For Sobriety (WFS)