These conditions can have severe consequences, including liver failure and an increased risk of liver cancer. In addition to liver damage, alcoholism can also have detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and an increased risk of heart disease. The toxic effects of alcohol on the heart can weaken the muscle and impair its ability to pump blood effectively, putting individuals at a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. Alcoholism often manifests through physical changes in individuals. Noticeable weight loss or weight gain, flushed skin, puffy face, and bloodshot eyes can be signs of excessive alcohol consumption.

Psychological and Physical Symptoms of Alcoholism

In other instances, they may spend time recovering from excess drinking. A person who misuses alcohol may think or say they will have one drink of alcohol but then go on to have several. One of the signs of AUD is difficulty stopping alcohol use, even if it causes adverse effects. The article below discusses each of these criteria, treatment, and where to find support.

• A person should speak with a healthcare professional if they are experiencing symptoms of AUD.
• Drinking more than intended may include drinking larger amounts of alcohol or drinking longer than a person planned to.
• There are many facial signs of alcoholism, but one of the most common signs is redness in your face.
• Also, 290,000 Americans are injured in car crashes caused by alcohol every year.

Potential Predictors of Alcohol Use Disorders

Not every person with an alcohol addiction will display all or even some of these signs, but it’s important to be aware of the indications within your friends, family and even your own behaviours. They may lose feelings of hunger or no longer have a desire for food, as their focus shifts to alcohol. Alternatively, they may crave high-fat foods as alcohol produces the hunger-increasing hormone, ghrelin. In addition, some alcoholic beverages, such as wine and beer, are high in calories, so regular consumption of these drinks can lead to weight gain. Furthermore, the physical toll of alcoholism can be seen through the skin. Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause the blood vessels in the face to dilate, resulting in a flushed appearance.

Emotional Instability and Alcohol

Alcohol misuse refers to single episodes during which you might drink excessively. When this occurs repeatedly over time, and when it begins to impact your health and your life, alcohol misuse can become AUD. The disorder can also be broken down further into mild, moderate, and severe subtypes. Behavioral signs of alcohol addiction include developing a tolerance, failing to fulfill responsibilities and having withdrawal symptoms. While only a healthcare provider can diagnose an alcohol use disorder, there are several physical and behavioral signs that may indicate an individual struggles with their alcohol use. Alcoholism is a treatable disease, with many treatment programs and approaches available to support alcoholics who have decided to get help.

Read on to learn more about the symptoms, risk factors, treatments, diagnosis, and where to get support. Hangovers also cause problems like missed class or work, low quality work or schoolwork, and lost productivity. Anxiety, insomnia, sweating, alcoholic physical appearance nausea and high heart rate are all signs of alcoholism. The affects can range from dementia and intellectual functioning to debilitating conditions that require long-term care, even if a person has been sober for a period of time.

Behavioral treatments

The most destructive form of alcoholism is chronic alcoholism, an emotionally, socially and physically devastating disease. Alcoholism emerges from alcohol abuse, when there’s a pattern of drinking despite negative consequences. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are both categorized as alcohol use disorders—affecting people of all ages and stages of life. You’ll want to find a rehab center that has medically-supervised detox capabilities so that you can comfortably and safely detox from alcohol. There are inpatient and outpatient options, but an addiction specialist should determine the best level of care for you based on your individual needs.

Symptoms of Alcoholism: How Can You Spot the Signs Early?

• Alcohol changes your brain chemistry, and when you drink heavily over a long period of time, your brain tries to adapt.
• In severe cases, a person maydevelop delirium tremens, a potentially life-threatening condition that causes hallucinations, confusion, seizures andpsychosis.

Impact on your health