When the individual ceases to drink alcohol for several hours, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms will begin to appear.

These physical symptoms are potentially deadly, and individuals experiencing alcoholism must continue to ‘top-up’ their blood alcohol content in order to avoid suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

Some symptoms of alcoholism include the overall degeneration of the sufferer’s personal appearance. Those suffering from alcoholism are likely to either put on or lose lots of weight. Other outward symptoms include poor skin, sweating and teeth erosion.

Many of these symptoms are indirectly linked to alcoholism because those who suffer from alcoholism are less likely to tend to their personal hygiene and basic dietary needs.

Drinking for Effect

The vast majority of people choose to drink alcohol for social reasons. This means it is relatively rare for people to drink alcohol in isolation. In contrast, those who suffer from alcoholism will often favour drinking alone.

This practice is often termed ‘drinking for effect’. This also allows individuals with alcoholism to conceal their drinking from loved ones.

Even if you suspect your loved one is suffering from alcoholism, it is often difficult to ascertain exactly how much alcohol they may be consuming on a daily basis for this very reason.

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What Amount of Alcohol is Considered ‘Unsafe’?

It takes the liver around one hour to process one unit of alcohol. If you or your loved one are consuming in excess of fourteen units of alcohol per week, there is a strong possibility you or your loved one could be suffering from alcoholism.

Significant health risks arise when people choose to consume more than 2-3 units of alcohol per day. This equates to around one large glass of wine or a pint of weak beer.

The NHS recommends not drinking more than 14 units per week to spread those units over 3 or more days and have a couple of days alcohol-free.

But this level of drinking is not considered safe, just low-risk, because there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.

What are the Exact Symptoms of Alcoholism?

If alcoholism is not treated, the symptoms of alcoholism will progressively worsen over time. This fact has led some to describe alcoholism as a ‘progressive’ disorder.

Below, we list some classical symptoms of alcoholism:

  • You are unable to control the amount of alcohol you consume
  • You spend a lot of time recovering from drinking alcohol
  • Your tolerance to alcohol has increased, meaning you must drink greater volumes of alcohol in order to ‘feel drunk’
  • You neglect your personal and professional responsibilities because of your drinking
  • You are unable to stop drinking alcohol even though you wish to stop drinking
  • Slurred speech
  • You experience regular blackouts
  • A lack of interest in old hobbies
  • Being secretive or dishonest
  • Anxiety, depression or other mental health issues.

Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

If your alcoholism is sufficiently advanced, you will likely suffer from physical withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to detox off alcohol.

Some of these withdrawal symptoms are considered a medical emergency, and thousands of lives are lost each year when an alcohol detox is attempted without adequate medical support.

These physical withdrawal symptoms are typically treated by giving the client benzodiazepine-based medications. These drugs allow the neuro-system to gradually re-adjust to what is considered normality.

Below, we list many of the more common alcohol withdrawal symptoms:

  • Hallucinations/delirium tremens
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety/agitation
  • Sweating
  • Convulsion/tremors/shaking of hands

When you undergo an alcohol detox, the aim will be to safely manage the above alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Again, this is primarily achieved through the use of medication.

What are the Long-term Physical Symptoms of Alcoholism?

There are many long-term physical health problems that are directly attributed to alcoholism. These health problems are responsible for the vast majority of deaths linked to alcoholism. These health problems arise because alcohol and its metabolites are toxic to the organs.

Below, we list the organs that are most impacted by alcoholism:

  • Liver
  • Brain
  • Heart
  • Stomach
  • Nervous system

Other health issues directly and indirectly linked to alcoholism include:

  • Cancers of the throat, mouth and breasts.
  • High blood pressure
  • Impotence
  • Osteoporosis

There is also evidence that regularly drinking at high-risk levels can worsen mental illnesses.

Binge Drinking

Binge DrinkingBinge drinking or ‘single session’ drinking is drinking above the recommended daily or even weekly limit in one night or one session.

Binging drinking has become part of British culture and many people won’t drink all week and ‘save’ their drinks for the weekend.

But binge drinking also carries a number of risks, especially as excessive alcohol consumption lowers inhibitions.

This opens the consumer up to accidents, injuries, misjudging situations or losing control.

What Are the Social Consequences of Alcoholism?

Any discussion of alcoholism’s symptoms would be incomplete if it failed to mention to strain alcoholism puts on the sufferer’s professional and loving relationships. When you are addicted to alcohol, you are likely to neglect your personal and professional responsibilities.

You may act violently towards your loved ones and you are also much more likely to suffer job loss. Children are particularly affected by trauma connected to a caregiver’s alcoholism.

Many of these children go on to develop alcoholism themselves, often as a means of ‘drowning out’ traumatic memories linked to their parent’s alcoholism.

Alcoholism negatively impacts social relationships. If you suffer from alcoholism, you are highly likely to neglect your career, with many being fired for drug or alcohol use.

Family responsibilities can also be neglected including your children and your spouse. Loved ones often suffer a significant amount of trauma due to a spouse or parent’s alcoholism. This trauma often affects these people for the rest of their lives.

Some of the more common social consequences of alcoholism include:

  • Domestic violence
  • Legal problems
  • Financial problems
  • Social isolation
  • Marital problems

Getting Help for Alcohol Addiction

If you or a loved one suffer from alcoholism and are showing the symptoms of alcoholism, contact Ocean Recovery Centre today. We offer private drug and alcohol rehab in the North West of England. We also offer structured aftercare and free intervention service.

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: December 22, 2023

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.

Dr Adel Ghaly

Dr Adel Ghaly - Clinical Reviewer - Last reviewed: December 19, 2023

MB BCh, Psychological Medicine (Substance Misuse Psychiatry) from 2002

Dr Adel Ghaly is a registered Doctor who is a specialist psychiatrist. Dr Ghaly gained an MB BCh in 1982 from Assiut University and has since become a substance misuse specialist and psychiatrist. After gaining his qualification in Psychological Medicine (Substance Misuse Psychiatry) in 2002, Dr Ghaly has worked in hospitals and as a specialist trainer recognised by the GMC.

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