Alcoholism symptoms are vital in detecting problems related to alcoholism at an earlier stage and can prove dangerous, if it is ignored. Ignorance of obvious symptoms of alcoholism can result in fatal consequences. Alcoholism is a progressive, degenerative medical condition that can affect the vital organs and result in fatalities. Alcoholism can affect the family, friends and career of the alcoholic, in an adverse manner. The Symptoms of alcoholism are both mental and physical.

Alcoholism symptoms can be psychological, social and even spiritual. The most obvious symptom is the persistent use of alcohol in spite of mental and physical difficulties. Many alcoholics are overwhelmed with the desire to quit drinking but revoke their decision, owing to alcohol dependency. The increased tolerance for alcohol is another, commonly seen symptom. The symptoms are not restricted to the physical level alone but they affect the mind, also.

Aggressive and violent behavior is one among common alcoholism symptoms. This affects the work place relationships, family bonding and friendships. The irritable and irrational behavior displayed, when an alcoholic has not consumed drinks results in spoiling the reputation, relationship at a personal as well as social level. Family and friends are depressed and worried about the state of affairs and the normal life is affected by alcoholism, in a person.

The physical and mental health of a person gets deteriorated, when he or she takes recourse to drinking. A few changes in the behavior of a person can be concluded as early signs of a ‘drinking’ problem, in the person. A set pattern in drinking, excessive everyday consumption of alcohol, frequent episodes of intoxication and loss of control are few early symptoms of alcoholism.

Alcohol dependence is a severe problem faced by multitudes of people all over the world. The symptoms of alcohol dependence are many. Alcoholics neglect the routine activities in their lives like social, occupational and recreational activities and excessively consume large quantity of alcohol. Control on one’s self is impaired by alcoholism and alcoholics use alcohol persistently. Withdrawal is a common symptom of alcoholism and withdrawal symptoms like shakiness, nausea, sweating and anxiety are common among alcoholics, when they do not use alcohol. Tolerance for alcohol ranks among major alcoholism symptoms.

Since alcoholism affects the mind of a person, many psychological symptoms of alcoholism exist. The psychological symptoms can be agonizing and debilitating like the other physical symptoms of alcoholism. Lacks of interest, Loss of control, obsession towards drinking, depression, sleep related disorders, anxiety, aggressive behavior and lack of concentration and focus are the most common psychological symptoms of ‘drinking’ related problems.

Alcoholism, when it reaches its final stage has serious social repercussions .The social symptoms of alcoholism are very apparent, even at an earlier stage and they worsen up as the effect of alcoholism increases, in a person. Withdrawal symptoms can be considered to be the most obvious social symptoms of alcoholism. Withdrawal from family, friends and social activities, legal problems, work-related issues, arguments and aggression within the family and friendships are alcoholism symptoms. There are many spiritual symptoms of alcoholism too. Self-centeredness, self-pity, restlessness, discontent, etc are common spiritual symptoms in an alcoholic.

Alcoholism stages can be categorized into three stages of alcoholism – early stage, middle stage and end stage alcoholism or late stage alcoholism. Alcoholism stages generally take years to develop. Alcoholism is a disease where alcoholic beverage consumption is at a level that interferes with physical or mental health, and negatively impacts social, family or occupational responsibilities.

Consuming no more than one or two drinks per day for healthy men and a drink a day for healthy non-pregnant women are generally considered acceptable alcohol consumption without health risks. However, as the amount or frequency of drinking increases, the earliest of the alcoholism stages can develop as a result.

Early Stages of Alcoholism

In the early alcoholism stages, a person begins to depend on alcohol to affect their mood. They drink for relief from problems, and they begin thinking more and more about alcohol. The person and others around them may not recognize that they are in the earliest of the stages of alcoholism. A gradual increase in tolerance happens, meaning, it takes increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired mood-altering effects. Often, the person can consume large amounts of alcohol without appearing impaired.

At the early alcoholism stages, the body has adapted to increasing amounts of alcohol. In fact, how a person functions will likely be improved with drinking as blood alcohol levels rise. For example, they can think and talk normally or walk a straight line with no problem. However, with continued alcohol consumption over time, the body begins to lose its ability to deal with high alcohol levels. As this occurs, when the alcoholic stops drinking and their blood alcohol level decreases, their thinking, talking or walking functions deteriorate, and they are moving into the next of the stages of alcoholism.

Middle Alcoholism Stages

The need and desire to drink gradually becomes more intense. Drinking larger amounts and more often happens as well as drinking earlier in the day. The alcoholic is losing control over drinking, and the body is losing its ability to process alcohol like it did in the early stages of alcoholism. Their tolerance decreases as they become intoxicated more easily. Withdrawal symptoms begin to become more severe if alcohol is reduced.

The person may now secretly recognize there is a drinking problem, and others may begin to notice as well. Unfortunately, the alcoholic no longer can judge how much alcohol their body can handle. Typically, the drinker denies to themselves and others that alcohol is a problem so they won’t have to deal with their inner turmoil. Hangovers, blackouts and stomach problems can now be physical symptoms that occur on a regular basis.

End Stage Alcoholism

As alcoholism progresses, the alcoholic has become obsessed with drinking to the exclusion of nearly everything else. Everyone can tell there’s a major problem. During the late alcoholism stages, the mental and physical health of the alcoholic are seriously deteriorating. Many of the body’s organs have been damaged which lowers resistance to disease. Relationships at home or socially may have been severely damaged, and there can be mounting financial and legal problems due to the alcoholic’s powerlessness over alcohol.

Every alcoholic will suffer from malnutrition. Alcohol in large amounts interferes with the digestion process and the passage of nutrients from the intestines into the bloodstream. Liver function has been damaged, further limiting the conversion of nutrients into a usable form that the body can assimilate. The damaged cells are not receiving the needed nutrients, they cannot repair themselves and the damage continues. Nutritional deficiencies cause a host of related problems to become worse. For example, a vitamin B-1 deficiency common in alcoholics can result in loss of mental alertness and appetite, fatigue, confusion and emotional instability.

And if the alcoholic continues drinking, alcohol will cause the death of the alcoholic in one way or another. From suicide, accidents and related injuries to direct damage to the body’s organs and systems, death will likely be the final outcome of end stage alcoholism.

Are there warning signs of alcoholism? Yes! Understand the signs and symptoms that indicate that alcohol consumption is becoming or is already a problem. There are resources available in a variety of ways to help deal with alcoholism stages and the serious consequences of this disease.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is defined as an irresistible urge to consume alcohol. People suffering from alcoholism are very well aware of the dangerous effects alcohol could have on their bodies, but still they are unable to resist the urge to consume it. They will usually drink beyond acceptable limits and will be in an inebriated state most often, causing embarrassment and inconvenience to the people with them.

Most people who consume alcohol have more than they can manage. This is seen in alcohol drinkers who lose control of their senses when they have one drink too many. Such an overstepping of limits is called as alcohol abuse. People who abuse alcohol are having more alcohol than their body allows them, but they have not yet come totally under the control of their alcohol habit. However, if they continue drinking for long, then they will not be able to resist alcohol and will become totally addicted to it. This situation is called as alcoholism.

Both alcohol abuse and alcoholism are social vices apart from being detrimental to the person’s health. They can be eliminated only by exercising control and being determined.

Why is Alcoholism dangerous?

Ethyl alcohol – the alcohol which is used in all alcohol products – is a liquid that immediately dissolves in the human blood. Hence when alcohol is consumed, it doesn’t take much time to reach all parts of the human body. Due to this, the nervous system of the person is affected and he/she may lose responsiveness to external stimulus. This is when the person is said to be inebriated.

Constant alcoholism will interfere with the functioning of all the vital organs of the body. The major organs affected are the liver, brain, heart and kidneys.

Liver is perhaps the most seriously affected in the long run. With prolonged alcoholism, the liver may develop cirrhosis, which is scarring of the liver tissue. Once cirrhosis sets in, it is very difficult to return the health back to normal.

In the stomach, alcohol can cause several gastric problems which may interfere with digestion. At the same time, each time a person has alcohol, it numbs his/her nervous system. In due course, the person may lose some or all of the fundamental senses.

What are the Symptoms of Alcoholism?

Generally people who are alcoholics can be easily identified even in a crowd. The habit shows some characteristic symptoms. These are as follows:-

A person with the habit of alcoholism will have all the trademark drunkard’s characteristics – red eyes, unkempt hair, mouth reeking of alcohol, unsteady gait, etc. But there are several people who mask these signs well.

Alcoholics usually set specific times for their drinking sessions. These could be before dinner. If alcohol is not available one particular day, they may become very cantankerous.

Even during the time they are not drinking, alcoholics would not be able to focus on the work at hand. This would sour their business and family life.

Over time, alcoholics build a resistance to alcohol. For this reason, they will keep increasing their intake so as to feel the effects of the alcohol.

How can Alcoholism be avoided?

For an alcoholic, avoiding alcohol could be a very difficult task. The withdrawal symptoms of alcoholism may be very severe. So it is not advisable for a hardcore alcohol to stop drinking entirely. Instead, the alcohol should be carefully phased out.

The following steps can be taken to reduce alcohol intake:-

The person must be made to take interest in constructive hobbies and sports.

Love and affection from family members and friends could strengthen the resolve of the person to give up alcoholism.

Attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous will show the alcoholic how people have managed to kick their boozing habits. This will create a very positive outlook in the alcoholic.

Instead of alcohol, other drinks with less alcohol in them can be used, such as wine and cocktails. Eventually even these can be stopped.

How can Alcoholism be controlled with Simple Home Remedies?

There are many home remedies to reduce the effects of alcoholism. The following are some of them:

Fruit juices are very effective in lowering the effects of alcoholism. For removing the effects of a hangover, the juice of a lemon or orange will be very effective. Eating an apple or banana helps to flush out the toxins from the body which collect due to alcoholism.

Both grapes and dates are very beneficial in reducing the urge to consume alcohol. If alcoholics are kept on a diet of only grapes for a couple of weeks, then most likely the temptation to drink will be totally gone.

Introduce many other drinks in the person’s diets so that the craving for the alcoholic drink is reduced.

When the person feels the urge to consume alcohol, having a glass of carrot juice will help to reduce the temptation.