A colostomy, where part of the colon is brought through the abdomen so that stool can be eliminated into a bag worn on the abdomen, is often not needed. A partial colectomy is almost never done for people with ulcerative colitis, because the disease will often recur in the healthy section of the colon that is left. In Crohn's disease, there is also a risk of the disease recurring in the colon, and more surgery is needed in some cases.
The term alcoholism is commonly used amongst laypeople, but the word is poorly defined. The WHO calls alcoholism a term of long-standing use and variable meaning, and use of the term was disfavored by a 1979 WHO expert committee.
Alcoholism is characterized by cravings for alcohol and an inability to stop drinking. It is accompanied by a physical dependence (meaning that the person experiences withdrawal symptoms when not drinking) and an increased tolerance for alcohol (meaning the person needs to drink greater amounts to feel good).