Answer:
Alcoholism vs. Addiction: Key Differences
While often used interchangeably, alcoholism and addiction are distinct concepts.
Alcoholism
* Specific to alcohol: Alcoholism refers to the addiction to alcohol specifically.
* Physical and psychological dependence: Involves both a physical craving for alcohol and a psychological obsession with it.
* Loss of control: Difficulty in limiting alcohol consumption, even with negative consequences.
* Tolerance: The need for increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effect.
* Withdrawal symptoms: Experiencing physical and emotional discomfort when alcohol consumption is reduced or stopped.
Addiction
* Broader term: Addiction encompasses a wide range of substances and behaviors, including alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, and more.
* Compulsive behavior: Characterized by an uncontrollable urge to engage in the addictive behavior despite harmful consequences.
* Impaired control: Difficulty in limiting or stopping the addictive behavior.
* Negative consequences: Impact on relationships, work, health, and finances.
In essence, alcoholism is a type of addiction.