While the above examples are hypothetical, they prove that alcoholism isn't limited to one specific group. The disease crosses age, sex and socio-economic barriers, and more than 17.6 million people, or one in 12 adults, are considered alcoholics according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

April is Alcohol Awareness month, which is dedicated to educating the public about the disease of alcoholism.

The NIAAA defines alcoholism as a disease with four symptoms: craving, loss of control, physical dependence and tolerance.

Those suffering from the disease constantly crave alcohol. Most say from the moment they wake up until they go to sleep, they have the urge to drink, and if they start, it's nearly impossible to stop. Where non-alcoholics can enjoy a few beers or a glass of wine with dinner, alcoholics cannot stop after just one drink.

The only way to control the disease is to completely abstain from alcohol.

When a person becomes physically addicted to alcohol, usually after long-term use, he or she experiences withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety. According to American Family Physician, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of Family Physicians, more severe withdrawal symptoms can include seizures and delirium tremens.

Finally, once a person becomes alcohol dependent, research states that his or her tolerance lessens and that he or she must drink more to achieve the same effect. Alcoholics Anonymous, a 12-step program for people suffering from alcoholism, and Al-Anon, a support group for families and friends of alcoholics, stress that alcoholism is a progressive disease that worsens over time.

The NIAAA also states that people who start drinking by the time they're 14 are at a much higher risk of developing alcoholism than those who start at age 21 or older. The organization also claims that while the risk of alcoholism can be inherited, lifestyle can also contribute to whether or not someone will become an alcoholic. For example, stress, accessibility and the company you keep are all factors that can lead to alcoholism.

While we usually relate alcoholism with obvious signs such as slurring words and stumbling, that's not always the case. Alcoholics, especially those who have jobs and families to lose, become especially adept at hiding their disease. They may become closet drinkers or sneak enough throughout the day that no one notices. But, as mentioned earlier, the disease is progressive, and eventually the symptoms will emerge. Once an alcoholic becomes symptomatic, and he or she starts losing control, the disease starts to affect everyone around him or her.

To most alcoholics, the "next drink," becomes their main focus, and they won't stop until they satiate the craving. The disease dominates their lives and becomes more important than family, work or bills. The loss of control can affect their work performance to the point they lose their jobs. Not to mention that alcohol abuse can tear a family apart.

So if alcoholism causes so much more stress than it's worth, why doesn't the alcoholic just stop? The simple answer is he can't. Alcoholism is a disease, not a choice, and an alcoholic will not stop drinking until he or she realizes there's a problem and takes the steps to fix it. Many alcoholics don't even think they have a problem until they've lost just about everything important in their lives. Others come to the realization faster and seek help. The bottom line is that the alcoholic must admit there's a problem and want to stop.

Once they do, there are plenty of resources available. The National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service provides help through its toll-free number, 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Representatives are available to discuss treatment, send printed material or offer local substance abuse treatment referral information.

The most popular alcoholism recovery group is Alcoholics Anonymous, which was started in 1935 by two alcoholics to serve as a fellowship for those suffering from the disease. The organization, with individual groups throughout the world, now has more than 2 million members. For more information, or to find a local meeting, visit www.aa.org

There are also support groups for families of alcoholics, including Al-Anon and Alateen, which are also anonymous. More information is available at www.al-anon and alateen.org. Another source of information is the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, www.nacoa.org