Physical Signs and Other Symptoms of Alcoholism & Alcohol Abuse

Being able to recognize thesigns of alcoholismis one of the crucial first steps to finding recovery from alcohol use disorder. Millions of people across the globe lose their jobs, health, families and even lives to the debilitating effects of alcoholism each year. It’s important to understand that what might seem like a minor issue at the beginning can end up turning into something dangerous over time.

This is due to the higher level of medical issues like alcohol toxicity that can occur without intention. Binge drinking is considered an unhealthy drinking pattern that about 25% of adults, or 59 million people, reported engaging in during 2021. That accounts for almost a quarter of the US adult population, including 12% of the adult population who meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder . Treatment providers are available 24/7 to answer your questions about rehab, whether it’s for you or a loved one. Submit your number and receive a free call today from a treatment provider.

Impact on your health

Excessive drinking can affect your nervous system, causing numbness and pain in your hands and feet, disordered thinking, dementia, and short-term memory loss. Heavy drinking can cause men to have difficulty maintaining an erection . Excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure and increases your risk of an enlarged heart, heart failure or stroke. Even a single binge can cause serious irregular heartbeats called atrial fibrillation. Heavy drinking can result in inflammation of the stomach lining , as well as stomach and esophageal ulcers.

Oftentimes this leads to drinking more to try to escape the feelings which have been amplified by alcohol consumption. Even if you recognize many of these health factors and warning signs in your own life, it is not too late to reach out for support and treatment. After an individual engages in excessive drinking, their body develops a tolerance for alcohol.

How Alcohol Abuse Affects Mental Health

The downward spiral continues to take place because they lose perspective and control. It might become progressively challenging to face the problems that were caused by drinking, but it’s not impossible to heal, regardless of how intense the problems have been. Drinking more alcohol to get rid of or ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms. We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery. Submit your number to receive a call today from a treatment provider. Learning to recognize the physical or behavioral signs of drug use can help to prevent the problem from progressing further.

While there’s no perfect thing to say, you’ll want to hit on two major points. Long-term, excessive alcohol use has been linked to a higher risk of many cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, esophagus, colon and breast cancers. Even moderate drinking can increase the risk of breast cancer. Over time, heavy drinking can https://ecosoberhouse.com/ cause involuntary rapid eye movement as well as weakness and paralysis of your eye muscles due to a deficiency of vitamin B-1 . A thiamin deficiency can result in other brain changes, such as irreversible dementia, if not promptly treated. Heavy drinking can cause increased fat in the liver and inflammation of the liver .

Also at INTEGRIS Health

For specific questions about your health needs or that of a loved one, seek the help of a healthcare professional. If you or someone you care about are struggling with some of the symptoms of alcoholism, there is a possibility that an unhealthy alcohol use pattern has begun to develop. Unfortunately, these behavior patterns can be difficult to change alone, as the disease of alcohol addiction is how to recognize signs and symptoms of alcoholism and alcohol abuse a serious medical condition. Many adolescents who participate in underage drinkingare unaware of the long-lasting complications that can transpire from alcohol use. Teens may turn to alcohol for various reasons including peer pressure, wanting to experiment or have fun. There are also behavioral, physical and environmental factors that may play a role in the risk of adolescent alcohol abuse.