Alcoholism is the chronic and usually progressive illness involving the excessive inappropriate ingestion of ethyl alcohol, whether in the form of familiar alcoholic beverages or as a constituent of either substance. It is thought to arise from a combination of a whole range of physiological, psychological, social and genetic factors. It is characterized by an emotional and often physical dependence on alcohol, and it frequently leads to brain damage or early death. Alcohol has direct toxic as well as sedative effects on the body. Some damages, for example, are persistent brain damage, nerve and muscle damage, liver damage, cerebovascular disease, gastrointestinal system damage, nutritional problem, heart and circulatory system damage, respiratory system damage and also reproductive system damage. Therefore, alcoholism can have as adverse effects as any other medical disease as AIDS or cancer. The similarity between all three of them is that, the precautions are given from before, but in case of alcoholism the resulting effects are not publicized as much. That is, awareness programs that are being spread in public these days, regarding cancer and AIDS is properly looked after and it is made sure that all the people understand the effects. But as for alcoholism, the adverse effects is not being spread as much. This is where the whole problem lies. The way alcoholism is effecting peoples' lives is a major issue, which has to be looked at and considered. Therefore, alcoholism is not only a medical problem, but also a social problem, which can be resolved with the proper public awareness.

             Alcohol is estimated to be a contributing factor in 20-30% of all accidents.

             In fatal car accidents involving young men between 10pm and 4am, it is a contributory factor in 60% of the cases .

             Some 30% of pedestrians killed in road accidents are above the legal limit for driving and more have drunk some alcohol up to the limit.