Alcoholism is a disease of epidemic proportions, affecting 9.3 to 10 million Americans, and many professionals believe the figures are closer to 20 million (Weddle and Wishon). Alcoholism is a "physiological or physiological dependence on alcohol characterized by the alcoholic’s inability to control the start or termination of his drinking"(Encyclopedia Britannica 210). It consists of frequent and recurring consumption of alcohol to an extent that causes continued harm to the drinker and leads to medical and social …showed first 75 words of 1588 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1588 total…No one can force an alcoholic to stop drinking. Because the alcoholic is sick, he hurts himself and others. Due to our close association with him, we, too, develop problems. The best way to help the compulsive drinker and ourselves, is to build our own strength, correct our own attitudes, be kind to him, and learn how to detach from the problem (Alateen 9). Works Cited AL-ANON. Living with an Alcoholic. "Alcoholism." Encyclopedia Britannica: Macropedia. 1974 ed.