Alcohol is a drug in liquid form.
Drinking is no different from drug taking in so far as it has a mood altering effect and alcoholics, like any other addicts, drink to anesthetise their feelings.
The main difference between alcohol and drugs is that alcohol is both legal and socially acceptable. In fact, abstaining from drinking in some Western cultures can even be seen as a sign of weakness especially amongst men.
However, the destruction and devastation on the family, social life, career and health of the alcoholic is as bad, if not worse, at times than that of the drug addict.
Unfortunately, problem drinking can gradually build up over a long period of time which can not only prevent the alcoholic and those around him/her from seeing the progression of the dependency, but it can also cause irreparable damage to their health and standard of living.
For more information please click on the link titled "Addiction"