Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun alcoholism

2 senses of alcoholism

Sense 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)
       => drug addiction, white plague -- (an addiction to a drug (especially a narcotic drug))

Sense 2
dipsomania, alcoholism, potomania -- (an intense persistent desire to drink alcoholic beverages to excess)
       => mania, passion, cacoethes -- (an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action)