Final answer:
The term for someone who continues to drink despite negative consequences is alcoholic, and alcoholism is seen as a compulsion rather than a choice, which is treated with more sympathy today.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used for a person who continues to drink despite experiencing social, legal, and health problems is known as an alcoholic. The characterizing factor of alcoholism is the compulsive use of alcohol despite the negative consequences. This behavior pattern reflects a serious drinking problem, akin to a disease or a genetic predisposition to addiction, not merely a personal choice. As we transitioned from viewing such individuals as harboring moral failings to having a sickness, society has adopted a more sympathetic stance towards alcoholism, recognizing the complexities and challenges associated with this condition.
Throughout history, excessive consumption of alcohol has had far-reaching effects, including damaging impacts on coordination, vision, judgment, and increasing the risks of domestic violence, road accidents, and job and family disruption. Reform efforts have varied from promoting temperance to enforcing prohibition, indicating the longstanding acknowledgment of the detriments of heavy drinking. It is essential to recognize the medicalization of alcohol abuse and provide adequate support and treatment for those struggling with alcoholism.