Physical Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
The physical symptoms of alcohol abuse can be uncomfortable.
There are several physical symptoms of alcohol abuse that a person can experience while under the influence of alcohol abuse. These physical symptoms will become more noticeable over time. The physical symptoms of alcohol abuse can be similar to that of alcoholism, but the two are somewhat different.
General Physical Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
Some of the general symptoms of alcohol abuse would include waking up shaking and sweating. A person would then need to drink more alcohol to make the physical symptoms go away. Many of the common physical symptoms of alcohol abuse will include slurred speech as well as lack of motor skills, such as stumbling or tripping over. The person can also experience dizziness and frequent urination. They may also complain of numbness in the feet and hands due to circulation problems.
More physical symptoms of alcohol abuse can and do include gastritis or other stomach ailments, such as nausea or bloating. A person will also experience redness on their neck, nose, cheeks and other facial areas. High blood pressure is another symptom. Those who do abuse alcohol will also begin to experience weight loss because the drinker is lacking basic nutrition or not eating much at all.
Severe Physical Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
When a person begins to drink more to get drunk, their tolerance level has risen. This means that the signs of alcohol abuse can become more apparent to those around the person. If a person continues to abuse alcoholic beverages, the physical symptoms of alcohol abuse can become more painful. More stomach problems can develop, as well as ulcers, and cirrhosis of the liver. This is also a time where a person can be termed as suffering from alcoholism. Other long term physical symptoms of alcohol abuse include getting cancer, having one or more strokes, and developing heart disease. Examples of heart problems that can occur besides a heart attack include Coronary Artery Disease, Arrhythmia, and Cardiomyopathy.
Memory loss, confusion, and other neurological problems will also occur. Behavioral problems will also develop in the abuser because they cannot control their emotions while under the influence of alcohol. The immune system will be weakened due to alcohol abuse, giving the person a higher risk of catching pneumonia or tuberculosis. Alcohol makes the body less able to fight off any kind of illness.
Differing Symptoms in People
A person does not have to drink every day or every week to abuse alcohol. A person can go several weeks without drinking but still abuse alcohol when they do drink. It is also known that a person does not have to drink large quantities of alcohol to still abuse it. It has been proven that men and women, as well as adults and teens can abuse alcohol differently, and the signs will also be different
An alcohol abuser can also experience short and long term periods of blacking out. They may pass out while drinking as well. If the alcohol abuser is a female who is pregnant, she does not have to drink a whole lot to give her unborn child Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This is why alcohol should not be consumed during pregnancy. As for males, they can develop erectile difficulties from abusing alcohol despite the fact that alcohol may increase their libido. Alcohol will still decrease sexual function.
Physical Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms can vary in a person, but usually include the aforementioned shaking, sweating, nausea, vomiting and headache. In severe cases, the physical symptoms of alcohol abuse can include hallucinations, seizures, and sometimes death.
Getting Help for Alcohol Abuse
The physical symptoms of alcohol abuse are extremely dangerous and can result in death. Some of the physical symptoms of alcohol abuse do go away, while some stay. If a person is struggling with their dependence of alcohol, they need to get help. A person can go to Alcoholics Anonymous for meetings and support. A person can also enter a treatment facility like the Betty Ford Center for professional help and counseling for a period of time. Getting treatment for alcohol abuse will help a person not only gain control of their life, but find happiness without abusing alcohol.
