Alcoholic

What does Alcoholic mean in American Law?

The definition of Alcoholic in the law of the United States, as defined by the lexicographer Arthur Leff in his legal dictionary is:

An alcoholic is one who is addicted to alcohol (see addict). It is no longer constitutionally permitted to render the mere status of being an alcoholic criminal, but acts performed by alcoholics and others under the influence of alcohol are still punishable. It is presently thought that alcoholism is the product both of physical (perhaps genetic) predisposition, and social factors. See also drunk; drunkenness.