ABSTRACT
Alcoholism is a chronic or intermittent condition characterized by loss of control over drinking. It typically begins in adolescence or young adulthood and may be associated with medical, social, or legal sequelae at any stage. One of the most consistent observations in all epidemiologic studies of alcohol consumption is that women drink less than men [1,2]. Estimates of prevalence vary, but the condition may affect 5-10% of the male population and 1-3% of the females in many Western societies. Recent data suggest that prevalence may be increasing in younger cohorts [3] in the United States. There are 20 million Americans who have serious drinking problems.
