Alcoholism is the continued drinking of alcohol despite it causing problems. Some definitions require evidence of dependence and withdrawal. [14] Problematic alcohol use has been mentioned in the earliest historical records. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated there were 283 million people with alcohol use disorders worldwide as of 2016. [15][16] The term alcoholism was first coined in 1852, [17] but alcoholism and alcoholic are considered stigmatizing and likely to discourage ... What happens to your body after you take your first sip of alcohol? Learn the effects of drinking on your body and mental well-being. Drinking too much – on a single occasion or over time – can take a serious toll on your health. The whole body is affected by alcohol use--not just the liver, but also the brain, gut, pancreas, lungs, cardiovascular system, immune system, and more. Drinking is the act of ingesting liquids into the body through various means. Learn how humans, animals, and plants drink, and how water affects their health and survival.
