1. (

• alcoholism ,
• alcohol_addiction ,
• inebriation ,
• drunkenness ,

) habitual intoxication; prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks leading to a breakdown in health and an addiction to alcohol such that abrupt deprivation leads to severe withdrawal symptoms ;

2. (

• dipsomania ,
• alcoholism ,
• potomania

) an intense persistent desire to drink alcoholic beverages to excess ;