ALCOHOLISM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does alcoholism mean? 

• ALCOHOLISM (noun)
  The noun ALCOHOLISM has 2 senses:

1. 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

2. an intense persistent desire to drink alcoholic beverages to excess

  Familiarity information: ALCOHOLISM used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ALCOHOLISM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

alcohol addiction; alcoholism; drunkenness; inebriation

Hypernyms ("alcoholism" is a kind of...):

drug addiction; white plague (an addiction to a drug (especially a narcotic drug))

Sense 2

Meaning:

An intense persistent desire to drink alcoholic beverages to excess

Classified under:

Nouns denoting goals

Synonyms:

alcoholism; dipsomania; potomania

Hypernyms ("alcoholism" is a kind of...):

cacoethes; mania; passion (an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action)

 Context examples 

In the United States, the most common causes are chronic alcoholism and hepatitis.

(Cirrhosis, NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

It is usually caused by alcoholisms, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Complications include the development of ascites, esophageal varices, bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy.

(Cirrhosis, NCI Thesaurus)

Sometimes the cause is a medical condition such as alcoholism, a tumor, or a stroke.

(Degenerative Nerve Diseases, NIH)

A carbamoyl derivate used in the treatment of alcoholism.

(Disulfiram, NCI Thesaurus)

It can be primary, the result of central nervous system degeneration, or secondary due to diabetes or alcoholism.

(Dysautonomia, NCI Thesaurus)

The A1 allele has been associated with alcoholism.

(DRD2 1 Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

The new compound also could have applications in alcoholism and brain cancer.

(Depression, Obesity, Chronic Pain Could be Treated by Targeting the Same Key Protein, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

C. canimorsus can be transmitted to humans through dog or cat bites where the bacteria causes septicemia and meningitis in humans particularly individuals that have undergone a splenectomy or alcoholism.

(Capnocytophaga canimorsus, NCI Thesaurus)

Alcoholism affects physical and mental health, and can cause problems with family, friends, and work.

(Alcoholism, NCI Dictionary)

Alcoholism also increases the risk of death from car crashes, injuries, homicide, and suicide.

(Alcoholism, NIH: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)