Alcohol Symptoms and Warning Signs

Alcohol Info

• Alcohol Addiction and Abuse
• Alcohol Symptoms and Warning Signs
• Alcohol Treatment and Rehab
• Alcohol Withdrawal and Detox

Alcohol abuse can sneak up on you and it can be difficult to notice when your consumption crosses the line from moderate consumption in social situations to problem drinking. However, if you’re using large amounts of alcohol to cope with trying times or challenging emotions, you could be in potentially dangerous territory.

One of the biggest obstacles to getting help for alcohol abuse is denial, often using several reasons to rationalise your drinking in the face of negative consequences. Therefore, it’s important to understand the symptoms and warning signs of alcohol abuse and take steps to reduce consumption when you identify them. Understanding the problem of alcohol abuse and recognising its common signs can help you cut back or quit completely.

Recognising the Common Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse

Left untreated, alcohol abuse can quickly spiral out of control. Recognising the common warning signs of abuse and getting the required treatment early can contribute to an effective recovery. Even though there isn’t an exact formula to determine whether or not you’re abusing alcohol, some symptoms may become obvious. These eventually add up and result in additional problems further down the line.

Generally, you could have a problem if you need to drink before you can feel relaxed; lie to others about your drinking habits; or regularly drink more than you intended to. Other common warning signs of alcohol abuse include:

No matter how minor, these signs of alcohol abuse should never be ignored. If you or someone you know is dealing with alcohol abuse, get in touch with an addiction advisor to locate a reputable treatment facility.

The Dangers of Alcohol Abuse

experience its stimulant effects, the dangers of abuse still remain, long after the initial pleasant feelings have passed. Alcohol abuse affects men and women in different ways; this is because women’s bodies metabolise alcohol at a slower rate than men. They are also more susceptible to the effects of alcohol due to their build and weight. Alcohol abuse in women can contribute to breast cancer, infertility, sexual assault, depression, pregnancy complications and an increased risk of becoming alcohol-dependent. However, men are more likely to encounter problem drinking, as their alcohol tolerance is higher than that of women. Alcohol abuse can affect men in many ways, including: cognitive impairment, permanent redness of the face, hair loss, beer gut, colon cancer, liver cancer, erectile dysfunction, and gout.

Recognising an Alcohol Addiction

It can be easy to tell when a person has been drinking. Some tell-tale signs include the smell of alcohol on the breath, uncoordinated movement, slurred speech and lowered inhibitions. However, recognising an alcohol addiction might not be so simple. This is because many of the more obvious signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse can be hidden for a long period of time. In addition, you or those around you may choose to ignore the addiction. You might also be in a state of denial about the realities of your substance abuse.

Addiction can therefore be difficult to spot. If you need help determining whether you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction or dependency, it’s not too late to seek help. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to identify alcohol addiction, due to some of the distinct behavioural patterns that occur. These include:

Alcohol Addiction and the Brain

Alcohol addiction is overwhelming and can affect several organs in the body, including the brain. You could begin to feel the effects of alcohol a few minutes after consuming only one or two drinks. These could include blurred vision, cognitive impairments, slurred speech, difficulty walking and slowed reaction time. Some of these effects will dissipate as your body cleanses itself of alcohol, but other psychological effects of alcohol addiction and long-term abuse can prove irreversible.

Alcohol addiction and dependence affects the brain chemistry by altering the levels of neurotransmitters (including GABA and glutamate in the brain that control behaviour, emotion and thought processes. This is what leads to the sluggish behaviours experienced when alcohol is consumed.

Learn the Long-Term Side Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Consuming large amounts of alcohol for an extended period of time is associated with many health problems. These include pancreatitis, liver damage, nerve damage, cirrhosis and a range of brain disorders (as a result of the death of brain cells). Other long-term side effects of alcohol abuse include:

Intervention for an Alcohol Addiction

When you recognise some of the symptoms and signs of alcohol abuse in a loved one, you may experience several difficult emotions, ranging from self-blame to shame, anger and fear. The problem may be so challenging that it seems easier to deny it even exists and try to ignore it. However, neglecting addiction can only result in irreversible damage to you, your loved one and other family members in the long run. The good news is that there are several ways you can help a loved one if they have an alcohol use disorder.

If they are denying they have a problem or are refusing to enter a treatment facility, you might consider staging an intervention for alcohol addiction. This option is highly effective, because it can be difficult to tell someone you care about that they need treatment for a drinking problem. Intervention should come from an angle of concern and not judgement. Therefore, it’s essential to treat them with care, respect and avoid casting blame or making accusations. Your focus during the intervention should be on how their consumption is affecting their physical health and causing problems in other aspects of their lives and those of their loved ones.

Detox and Withdrawal from Alcohol

longevity and level of your alcohol abuse; your age; past withdrawal history; and whether you’ve combined using additional substances alongside alcohol. There are several distressing symptoms that can occur during withdrawal from alcohol. These symptoms range from mild to severe and in certain cases can be life-threatening. Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include: insomnia, anxiety, nightmares, confusion, weakness, tremors (across the whole body or parts of the body), nausea, craving, agitation, headaches, fear, sweating, quick mood changes, hallucinations (alcoholic hallucinosis), heart palpitations and seizures (that commonly occur in the first 48 hours).

Treatment and Next Steps

Treatment for alcohol abuse and addiction should be carried out under the close supervision of qualified addiction treatment specialists in a suitable facility. Attempting to undergo treatment on your own or without professional help can cause more harm than good. This is why a rehab programme is specially equipped to deal with the extremely uncomfortable and risky symptoms that can occur during the alcohol detox phase.

Undergoing treatment in a certified recovery programme with the help of a rehab expert can increase your chances of achieving long-term recovery. These experts can guide you through the different stages of recovery and recommend alcohol abuse counsellors and support groups that can help maintain your sobriety. Common support groups that may be recommended include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Al-Anon, where you can meet other recovering addicts and learn practical tips for recovery. It’s never too late to take back control of your life. Help is available for you to live a sober and healthy lifestyle once more. Talk to recovery specialists to put you in touch with a treatment programme to address your needs.

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