Navigation: Physical Signs and Symptoms, Behavioral Signs and Symptoms, Psychological Signs and Symptoms, Seeking Help
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic and debilitating medical condition that is characterized by the inability to control alcohol consumption despite its negative consequences. Simply put, an addicted individual will keep drinking even when they are already suffering from its adverse effects. [1]
The disorder ranges in severity from mild to severe, and it can have profound impacts on various aspects of a person’s life. It can impact their health, their relationships, their employment, etc.
AUD is considered a brain disorder, with factors such as genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and psychological factors playing significant roles in its development and progression. And due to lasting changes in the brain, alcoholism can make people vulnerable to relapse.
According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 28.8 million adults ages 18 and older had alcohol use disorder in 2021. [1]
The good news is that evidence-based treatment such as behavioral therapies and mutual support groups can help those with AUD achieve and maintain recovery.
However, due to the inherent dangers of alcohol misuse, it is still important to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcoholism before it causes severe health problems and other dangerous consequences. Here we will talk about what to look out for.
Physical Signs and Symptoms
Alcohol use disorder affects the body due to the chemical interactions between alcohol and various bodily systems.
Ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, is a central nervous system depressant that disrupts neurotransmitter function, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, leading to slowed cognitive function, impaired coordination, and mood alterations. [2]
Chronic alcohol consumption damages vital organs such as the liver, leading to conditions like fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
Alcohol also weakens the immune system, making people more susceptible to infections and illnesses. Prolonged alcohol abuse can also contribute to cardiovascular issues like hypertension and cardiomyopathy, as well as neurological disorders such as peripheral neuropathy and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Here are some physical signs to watch out for if you think a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction:
Tolerance
Tolerance is when the body adapts to the effects of alcohol over time, leading to the need for increasing amounts just to achieve the desired effects. [2]
Initially, people may find that they can consume only small amounts of alcohol before feeling intoxicated. However, as tolerance develops, they may need to drink larger quantities to experience the same level of intoxication.
This increased tolerance often leads to escalated drinking habits, as people may continuously drink to achieve that euphoric high or numbing effect that they expect from alcohol. Heightened tolerance can therefore be a red flag for alcohol dependence or addiction. [2]
Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol has a depressive effect on your system, slowing down brain function and impacting the way your nerves send messages back and forth. When your level of alcohol intake suddenly drops, it leads to withdrawal. [3]
Alcohol withdrawal refers to the set of symptoms that occur when someone who is dependent on alcohol suddenly stops or significantly reduces their alcohol intake.
These symptoms can range from mild to severe and in some cases can even be life-threatening. This is why it is not recommended to quit alcohol cold turkey. It is better to seek proper medical assistance and go through a detoxification process under their supervision.
Withdrawal symptoms can manifest within hours to a few days after the last drink. Common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include tremors, sweating, anxiety, agitation, nausea, vomiting, headache, insomnia, and in severe cases, hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens (DTs).
DTs is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal characterized by confusion, severe agitation, hallucinations, and sometimes seizures, and it can be dangerous if not treated promptly.
Seeking medical assistance during alcohol withdrawal is crucial to manage symptoms safely and prevent complications.
Loss of Control
Individuals with alcoholism often find it challenging to control their drinking habits. They may drink more than they intend to and find it difficult to stop or cut back despite repeated attempts. This is because alcohol has profound effects on the brain’s reward system and executive functions. [2]
Alcohol consumption triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, reinforcing the person’s desire to drink. Over time, frequent and excessive alcohol consumption alters the brain’s neural pathways, leading to tolerance.
Additionally, AUD impairs the prefrontal cortex, the region responsible for decision-making and impulse control, diminishing the person’s ability to regulate their alcohol intake. [2]
Physical Health Issues
Alcoholism can lead to a myriad of physical health problems, ranging from mild to severe. One of the most common and potentially life-threatening issues is liver damage, which can manifest in various forms such as fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
These conditions develop as a result of the liver’s inability to metabolize alcohol effectively, leading to inflammation, scarring, and eventual impairment of liver function. Left untreated, liver damage can progress to liver failure, a serious and often fatal condition.
Excessive alcohol consumption can also increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, including hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and stroke, as well as gastrointestinal issues like gastritis, pancreatitis, and ulcers.
Alcohol abuse even weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and diseases. These are just some examples of the health problems caused by AUD. The symptoms and their severity may vary from one patient to another.
Behavioral Signs and Symptoms
Alcohol alters a person’s brain chemistry. This is why you can expect addicted individuals to exhibit certain behavioral changes in the process. Loved ones are usually the first to notice these shifts in their personality. Left unchecked, AUD can create problems for the person’s relationships, create legal problems, and get in the way of their professional success.
Preoccupation with Alcohol
Those who are suffering from alcoholism may spend a significant amount of time thinking about alcohol, trying to obtain it, and recovering from its effects. Alcoholism is typically characterized by this obsessive focus on drinking.
People with alcoholism may find themselves constantly thinking about when they can have their next drink, planning their day around alcohol consumption, or experiencing intense cravings when they’re not drinking. [2]
Of course, this preoccupation can interfere with their daily responsibilities. They may also prioritize drinking over other activities they used to enjoy.
In severe cases, the preoccupation with alcohol can become all-consuming, leading to a downward spiral of addiction and dependence.
Neglecting Responsibilities
With the person prioritizing alcohol over everything else, it may lead to neglect of personal and professional responsibilities. This may include missing work or school, neglecting household chores, or failing to meet obligations to family and friends.
The impairment caused by excessive alcohol consumption can directly affect cognitive functions like decision-making, memory, and judgment. This makes it difficult for a person to prioritize their responsibilities effectively.
Over time, this pattern of neglect can exacerbate existing problems and create new ones, perpetuating a cycle of dysfunction and worsening the consequences of alcoholism.
Social Isolation
Social isolation can often be a subtle yet telling sign of alcoholism. Individuals grappling with alcohol use disorder may increasingly withdraw from social activities, preferring solitary drinking over engaging with friends and family.
This withdrawal can stem from shame, embarrassment, or a desire to hide their drinking habits. They may even change their social circles, preferring to spend time with other people who like to drink.
As alcohol use becomes more central to their lives, they may find it challenging to maintain meaningful connections with others who don’t share their dependency. This isolation can exacerbate feelings of alienation, creating a vicious cycle of substance abuse and loneliness.
Drinking to Cope
One of the signs of alcoholism often manifests in the reliance on drinking to cope with stress, emotional turmoil, or difficult situations.
People who are struggling with alcoholism may turn to alcohol as a way to numb their feelings or escape from reality temporarily. This coping mechanism can become a pattern, where alcohol becomes the default solution to deal with any form of discomfort or distress.
Psychological Signs and Symptoms
As we have established, AUD’s effects on the brain are multifaceted. Alcohol alters neurotransmitter levels, disrupting the delicate balance that regulates mood, cognition, and behavior. Chronic alcohol misuse can lead to structural changes in the brain, which can manifest as increased anxiety, depression, and impulsivity.
There’s also the fact that alcoholism often co-occurs with other mental health disorders, exacerbating their symptoms and complicating treatment.
Intense Cravings
Intense cravings for alcohol can be a significant sign of alcoholism, indicating a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. These cravings often manifest as a strong urge or desire to consume alcohol, even when it’s not appropriate or healthy to do so. [2]
The need to drink may become increasingly urgent, which often leads to relapse.
Cravings can be triggered by stress, social situations, or exposure to alcohol-related situations or people. During addiction treatment, patients learn to recognize these triggers so that they can avoid them or use proper coping mechanisms.
Mood Swings
Alcoholism can contribute to mood swings, irritability, and emotional instability. Some people may experience sudden changes in mood, ranging from euphoria while drinking to depression or agitation when sober.
These mood swings can be unpredictable and may intensify as alcohol consumption increases or during periods of withdrawal. Additionally, the emotional turmoil caused by alcoholism can strain relationships and further contribute to social isolation.
Denial
Denial is a common defense mechanism among those with alcohol use disorder. It is also one of the first obstacles on the path to recovery. Addicted individuals may minimize the extent of their drinking problem or deny that it exists altogether, making it challenging for them to seek help.
Denial can manifest in various ways, from asserting control over their drinking to rationalizing excessive consumption as a coping mechanism for stress or other challenges. Despite mounting evidence of the harm caused by their alcohol use, those in denial may persist in their belief that they do not have a problem.
Recognizing and breaking through denial is often a crucial first step towards recovery from alcoholism. In some cases, a proper intervention may be necessary to help them see the truth of their situation.
Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol dependence and alcohol addiction are two terms that are commonly used interchangeably, but they are not actually the same. Dependence is when the body has become reliant on the substance to the point where it can no longer function normally without it. When an alcohol dependent person stops drinking or reduces their intake, that’s when withdrawal symptoms manifest. [4]
This dependence often leads to excessive drinking, even in situations where it’s socially inappropriate or hazardous. It also leads to repeated attempts to quit drinking, which leads to failure most of the time.
Seeking Help
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of alcoholism is the first step in the journey towards long-term recovery. It’s essential to reach out to a healthcare professional or a support group for assistance. With proper treatment and support, recovery from alcoholism is possible, and a healthier, fulfilling life can be achieved.
Treatment for alcoholism typically involves a combination of medical detox and behavioral therapies. While the exact treatment program may vary from one person to another, the general idea is the same: treat the physical symptoms while addressing the underlying causes of addiction along with any co-occurring disorders. The best rehab facilities will create a personalized treatment program that suits the individual’s specific needs. [5]
Remember that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. Acknowledging the problem will bring you closer to a healthy and sober life. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcoholism or any other type of substance use disorder, look for a rehab center near you today and learn more about the different treatment options that are available.
Sources:
[1]: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder
[2]: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243
[3]: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-treatments
[4]: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-dependence
[5]: https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/alcohol/warning-signs/
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