Symptoms of Alcoholism
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 As increasing numbers of individuals experience various symptoms of alcoholism, more and more people are asking how they can
better cope with or significantly reduce these symptoms.
Concerning symptoms of alcoholism, it is important to point out that spiritual, social, and psychological symptoms of
alcoholism can be just as painful and problematic as the better-known physical symptoms.
The Main Psychological Symptoms of Alcoholism
When the topic of "symptoms of alcoholism" is discussed, many people focus on
the physical symptoms of alcoholism and exclude many of the other alcoholism symptoms.
As a result, it is important to emphasize the point that other alcoholism symptoms such as social, spiritual, and psychological
symptoms of alcoholism exist and can be just as debilitating and agonizing as physical alcoholism symptoms.
The psychological symptoms of alcoholism are as follows:
- Loss of control
- Sleep problems
- The collapse of the alibi system
- An increase in failed promises and resolutions to one's self and to others
- Anxiety
- Obsession with drinking
- Loss of interests
- Unreasonable resentments
- Loss of willpower
- Aggression
- Cloudy thinking
- Poor concentration
- Depression
- Stress
- Denial of the effects of alcohol
Social Symptoms of Alcoholism
The following represents the social symptoms of alcoholism:
- Financial insecurity
- Difficulties and arguments with family or friends
- Devaluation of personal relationships
- Unemployment
- Blaming problems on others and on things external to themselves
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Difficulties performing at work or home
- Legal problems
- Serious relationship and work-related problems
- Withdrawal from social activities
| In many instances characterized by dysfunctional living conditions, the result is that the codependent person or
persons develop habitual self-defeating ways of coping in order to survive. If this vicious cycle is not broken, the
codependents eventually become out-of-touch with their own emotions. |
Spiritual Symptoms of Alcoholism
The spiritual symptoms of alcoholism are as follows:
- Self-pity
- Discontentment
- Dysthymia (mild chronic depression)
- Self-centeredness
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Feeling useless
- Fearful
- Resentment
| To make the argument for alcohol abstention and pregnancy even stronger, according to recent studies, women who
continue to drink even small amounts of alcohol while trying to become pregnant, may reduce their chances of conceiving. |
Physical Symptoms of Alcoholism
It is clear that alcoholism physically affects people while they are addicted and also when they want to recover from this disease and,
unfortunately, experience withdrawal symptoms. One way to look at the physical symptoms of alcoholism is to focus on the typical alcoholic
behaviors in the various stages of alcoholism.
| It is estimated that 30% of all Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related motor vehicle accident sometime
during their lives. |
Physical Symptoms of Alcoholism- First Stage
The following represents some of the alcoholism symptoms and behaviors in the first stage of alcoholism:
- Increasing tolerance
- Gross Drinking Behavior - more frequent drinking of greater amounts
- A conscious effort to seek out more drinking opportunities
- Boasting and a "big shot" complex
- Lack of recognition by the person that he or she is in the early stages of a progressive illness
- An ability to drink great amounts of alcohol without any apparent impairment
| According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year in the United States, between 1,300
and 8,000 babies are born with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Fetal alcohol syndrome is a combination of physical and mental
birth defects that affects about 6% of the babies born to women who are alcohol abusers or alcoholics. |
Physical Symptoms of Alcoholism - Second Stage
The following represents some of the alcoholism symptoms and behaviors in the second stage of alcoholism:
- Sporadic loss of control
- More frequent blackouts
- Drinking because of dependence rather than for stress relief
- Chronic hangovers
- Unsuccessful attempts to stop drinking
- Physical problems increase
- Increasing tolerance
- Sneaking extra drinks before social events
- Gulping the first few drinks to feel the "buzz" faster
| Alcoholism researchers have found that various environment factors can interact with one's genetics.
Examples include peer pressure or peer influence, the relative ease of obtaining alcohol, where and how a person lives, a
person's culture, and one's family and friends. |
Physical Symptoms of Alcoholism - Third Stage
The following represents some of the alcoholism symptoms and behaviors in the third stage of alcoholism:
- Neglect of necessities such as food
- The development of an alibi system - an elaborate system of excuses for their drinking
- Half-hearted attempts at seeking medical aid
- Aggressive and grandiose behavior
- Avoidance of family and friends
- Eye-openers
- Increased tremors
- Frequent violent or destructive behavior
- A decrease in alcohol tolerance
- Problems with the law (e.g, DUIs)
- The start of physical deterioration
- Loss of control has become a pattern
| One of the few confirmable positive aspects of drinking alcohol is that drinking in moderation can actually have
positive effects on the heart, especially with individuals who are at the greatest risk for heart attacks, such as men over the
age of 45 and women after menopause. Long-term excessive drinking, conversely, increases the risk for certain kinds
of stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure. |
Physical Symptoms of Alcoholism - Fourth Stage
The following represents some of the alcoholism symptoms and behaviors in the fourth stage of alcoholism:
- Moral deterioration
- Loss of tolerance for alcohol
- "The shakes"
- Benders, or lengthy intoxications
- The "DTs"
- Continual loss of control
- Unreasonable resentments and hostility toward others
- Auditory and visual hallucinations
| Alcohol can be dangerous in smaller amounts if it is used in combination with the following drugs: certain
anti-seizure medications such as phenobarbital; sedatives such as barbiturates, tranquilizers, and cannabis; and narcotic pain
medications such as codine, opium, heroin, darvocet, and codine derivatives. |
Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a group of symptoms exhibited by people who quit drinking alcohol after a pattern of excessive and
continuous consumption. These symptoms can range from mild to moderate to severe and include both psychological and behavioral
aspects.
| “Eye-openers” are common during the third stage of alcoholism. That is, drinks that are taken whenever the
person awakens. Eye-openers are normally taken to lessen a hangover, calm the nerves, or to quiet their feelings of remorse
the drinker experiences after a period of time without a drink. |
Mild to Moderate Withdrawal Symptoms
The following represents mild to moderate physical symptoms that typically occur within 6 to 48 hours after the last alcoholic drink:
- Insomnia, sleeping difficulties
- Vomiting
- Involuntary, abnormal movements of the eyelids
- Eyes or pupils different size (enlarged, dilated pupils)
- Abnormal movements
- Nausea
- Sweating (especially on the face or the palms of the hands)
- Tremor of the hands
- Clammy skin
- Loss of appetite
- Headaches (especially those that pulsate)
- Rapid heart rate
- Looking pale, without color
| Alcoholism statistics in the United States remain staggering. There are approximately 14 million people in the
country addicted to alcohol and millions more who display symptoms of abuse, including binge drinking. Sadly, a reported 2.6
million binge drinkers in 2002 were between the ages of 12 and 17. |
Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
The following represents severe symptoms that typically occur within 48 to 96 hours after the last alcoholic drink:
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- Delirium tremens (DTs)
- Black outs
- Visual hallucinations
- Severe autonomic nervous system overactivity
- Fever
| In 2001, the highest rates for alcohol-related fatal crashes in the United States were recorded for drivers 21-24
years old (33%), followed by ages 25-34 (28%), and 35-44 (25%). |
What To Do When Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms
The first concern when experiencing alcohol withdrawal should be who you should contact about the alcohol withdrawal symptoms rather than
"what helps for alcohol withdrawals?" When experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, always see your healthcare provider or doctor
immediately so that he or she can evaluate the severity of your situation and recommend the most effective option for treatment.
| The Department of Transportation (DOT) procedures established for mandatory alcohol testing require the employment
of a standardized breathalyzer. The categories of testing that are allowed by the DOT are the following: post-accident,
reasonable suspicion, and random. |
Symptoms of Alcoholism: Conclusion
Symptoms of alcoholism affect people when they drink, when they try to stop drinking, and when they go through
the recovery process and, unfortunately experience withdrawal symptoms. When suffering from alcoholism symptoms, keep the following in
mind.
First, alcoholism leads to a series of damaging and painful social, physical, spiritual, and psychological symptoms that will get
progressively worse unless the person stops drinking. Second, an essential step in the recovery process is acknowledging that drinking
has become a problem and having the desire and the will to quit drinking. Third, once the alcoholic reaches this point, the next issue to
resolve is how to best handle the withdrawal symptoms that typically follow. Fourth, the most rational and effective way to cope with and
overcome withdrawal symptoms is to immediately see a healthcare provider or a doctor so that he or she can evaluate the severity of the problem
and articulate the most effective form of treatment.
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| The overriding plan of action when experiencing a possible alcohol overdose situation is this: Do not take
chances when someone's life is at stake. If you suspect that a person has alcohol poisoning or is overdosing on alcohol, get
immediate medical assistance, even if the person is underage. |
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