An alcoholic is a person that abuses alcohol. Alcoholism is a progressive disease because the effects of alcohol abuse become increasingly more severe over time.
There are early signs that a person could have a problem or is in the process of developing a problem related to alcohol abuse.

The following are indicators of a possible problem in the making and can give people close to such a person an idea of the severity of the problem.

• Frequent intoxication.

• Drinking in dangerous situations ie: knowing he has to drive home after the session sometimes with his loved ones in the car.

• Black-out drinking ie: cannot remember how they got home or what went on the night before.

• Drastic change in behaviour after a few drinks ie: angry, aggressive violent.

A clear symptom of alcohol abuse is when a person keeps on drinking despite recurring problems caused by their drinking ie: missing work, trouble with the law, having problems with their health both physical and psychological. The alcohol dependency stage is reached when a persons drinking becomes compulsive and
uncontrolled.

Such a person will do anything to lay their hands on alcohol and could for instance steal ,lie, or break the law. Their activities will centre around alcohol on a social level. A person in this state will need help fast to prevent serious health and mental disorders that could become permanent if alcohol abuse continues over a long period.