Definition
A chronic disease characterized by compulsive alcohol consumption and inability to control drinking despite negative consequences.
Etymology
From alcohol (Arabic al-kuhl meaning 'fine powder') plus the suffix -ism indicating a condition or practice. The medical concept emerged in the 19th century as understanding of addiction developed beyond moral failings.
Kelly Says
The term 'alcoholism' was first used medically in 1849, but it wasn't until 1956 that the American Medical Association officially recognized it as a disease rather than a moral weakness or character flaw.
Translations
AMአማርኛ
አልኮሆልኢዝም
al.ko.ho.liz.m
ARالعربية
إدمان الكحول
id.maan al.kah.ul
BNবাংলা
মদ্যাসক্তি
mod.ya.sakti
CACatalà
alcoholisme
al.ko.ho.lis.me
CSČeština
alkoholismus
al.ko.ho.lis.mus
DADansk
alkoholisme
al.ko.ho.lis.me
DEDeutsch
Alkoholismus
al.ko.ho.lis.mus
ELΕλληνικά
αλκοολισμός
al.ko.lis.mos
ESEspañol
alcoholismo
al.ko.ho.lis.mo
FAفارسی
الکلیسم
al.ko.lism
FISuomi
alkoholismi
al.ko.ho.lis.mi
FRFrançais
alcoolisme
al.kɔ.lism
GUGU
દારૂની લત
da.ru.ni lat
HAHA
ciwon giya
chi.won gi.ya
HEעברית
אלכוהוליזם
al.ko.ho.lizm
HIहिन्दी
मद्यनिषेध
mad.ya.ni.śedh
HUMagyar
alkoholizmus
al.ko.ho.liz.mus
IDBahasa Indonesia
alkoholisme
al.ko.ho.lis.me
IGIG
ọnye ọṅụṅụ
o.nye o.nu.nu
ITItaliano
alcolismo
al.ko.lis.mo
JA日本語
アルコール中毒
arukōru chūdoku
KKKK
алкоголизм
al.ko.ho.lizm
KMKM
ជំងឺស្រវឹង
cham.nge sraveng
MRMR
दारुडपान
da.ru.dpaan
MSBahasa Melayu
alkoholisme
al.ko.ho.lis.me
MYမြန်မာ
အယ်လ်ကိုဟောလ်ဝါဒီ
a.lel.ko.haw.lis.m
NLNederlands
alcoholisme
al.ko.ho.lis.me
NONorsk
alkoholisme
al.ko.ho.lis.me
PAPA
ਸ਼ਰਾਬ ਦੀ ਲਤ
sharaab di lat
PLPolski
alkoholizm
al.ko.ho.lizm
PTPortuguês
alcoolismo
al.ku.lis.mu
RORomână
alcoolism
al.ko.lism
RUРусский
алкоголизм
al.ko.ɡo.lizm
SVSvenska
alkoholism
al.ko.ho.lism
SWKiswahili
ulevi
u.le.vi
TAதமிழ்
குடிப்பு நோய்
ku.di.ppu noy
TEతెలుగు
మత్తుపానం
mat.tu.pa.nam
THไทย
โรคจิตจากสุรา
roh.kit.jaak.su.ra
TLTL
alkoholismo
al.ko.ho.lis.mo
TRTürkçe
alkolizm
al.ko.lizm
UKУкраїнська
алкоголізм
al.ko.ho.lizm
URاردو
الکوحل ازم
al.ko.hul.azm
VITiếng Việt
nghiện rượu
nghien ru.u
ZUZU
isifo sokweshaya
i.si.fwo sok.we.shaya
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Alcoholism was historically diagnosed and discussed as a male problem; women's drinking was medicalized differently and stigmatized more severely. This double standard persists: women alcoholics face greater shame while male alcoholism is often normalized as social.
Inclusive Usage
Use clinically for alcohol use disorder regardless of gender. Recognize that diagnostic, treatment, and social support gaps exist for women; avoid gendered language around addiction.
Inclusive Alternatives
["alcohol use disorder","alcohol dependence"]
Empowerment Note
Women's addiction recovery movements have built inclusive, trauma-informed treatment models that address gendered barriers to care and support.