Final answer:
Alcoholism is defined as a chronic disease where a person can't control their alcohol consumption. The view on alcoholism has shifted from moral failing to recognizing it as a medical condition. Factors like genetics, social influences, and personal circumstances contribute to this complex disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term alcoholism is associated with a pattern of drinking that reflects a chronic disease or condition where a person is unable to control their alcohol consumption despite negative social, occupational, or health consequences. The understanding of alcoholism has evolved over time. In the nineteenth century, excessive drinking was viewed as a moral failing or a bad personal choice. Into the twentieth century, societal perception shifted, and alcoholism began to be seen as a disease, potentially with a genetic predisposition, signifying that alcoholics were not fully responsible for their drinking behavior. This perspective fostered more compassion and a shift from blame to support and treatment for the condition.
Historically, the temperance movement and prohibition represented different societal responses to the problems associated with alcohol consumption, including poverty, crime, and family issues. As alcohol was recognized to undermine societal morals and contribute to a myriad of social problems, the temperance movement advocated for moderation, whereas prohibition aimed to outlaw alcohol entirely. Research has explored various factors influencing alcohol consumption and alcoholism, including parenting styles, social anxiety disorders, genetic predispositions, and the role of peers and religiosity in drinking patterns.
Alcoholism, therefore, is characterized not just by frequent alcohol intake but by the inability to stop drinking despite awareness of the adverse effects on one's life, encompassing both physical and psychological elements of addiction.