What is a chronic, progressive illness characterized by tolerance and loss of control over alcohol?

The correct answer, alcoholism, refers to a chronic and progressive illness where an individual develops a significant tolerance to alcohol and experiences a loss of control over their drinking behavior. This condition manifests through a compulsive pattern of alcohol use, leading to various negative consequences in personal, social, and occupational aspects of life.

Alcoholism is characterized by several signs such as cravings for alcohol, inability to limit consumption, and continued use despite understanding the harmful effects. The progressive nature of the disease means that symptoms and the impact on an individual's life often worsen over time, requiring comprehensive intervention and support for management and recovery.

In contrast, the other terms presented do not encapsulate the same definition. Intoxication refers to the temporary state of being under the influence of alcohol, while cirrhosis is a liver condition resulting from prolonged alcohol abuse or liver disease, rather than an illness defined by control issues over alcohol itself. Detoxification is the process of clearing alcohol from the body, often a preliminary step for someone with alcohol use disorder, but it does not describe the chronic illness associated with addiction.