How is a person defined as "addicted to the excessive use of intoxicating liquor"?

The correct choice defines addiction to the excessive use of intoxicating liquor as someone who uses alcohol excessively and experiences a loss of reasonable self-control. This aligns with common definitions of addiction, which highlight the inability to manage one's use of a substance despite negative consequences. Excessive use often leads to behaviors that are impulsive and uninhibited, indicating that the individual struggles to maintain control over their drinking habits.

This definition captures the essence of addiction, which is not simply about the quantity consumed but also encompasses the behavioral aspects and the impact on one’s ability to function effectively in daily life. By emphasizing the loss of reasonable self-control, this choice effectively illustrates one of the critical characteristics of addiction: the inability to regulate behavior and choices regarding alcohol, leading to potential harmful consequences for oneself and others.

In contrast, the other options fail to encapsulate this definition properly. Social drinking with self-control does not align with the notion of addiction, occasional drinking is not typically associated with excessive use, and having previous offenses does not inherently indicate a current state of addiction.