Physical Characteristics of an Alcoholic: How to Recognize Signs
They may begin to rely on alcohol to help them have fun or to relax. There are a number of physical signs that indicate someone is addicted. Many people don’t realize that it’s possible to spot an alcoholic by their appearance. Even if you aren’t around someone often enough to look for behavioral symptoms of alcoholism, it can be easy to look at someone and notice the presence of these physical symptoms.
#4. Withdrawal Symptoms
However, if you’re an alcoholic, you’re definitely abusing alcohol. Alcoholics frequently experience nausea and vomiting after sustained drinking periods or benders. This makes individuals prone to ulcers that can cause vomiting of blood and bile.
What Is the Official Definition of Alcoholism?
Let’s dive into the science behind alcohol addiction and explore what physically drives this condition. Many of these individuals thought that alcohol had ruined their lives for good. However, many of them didn’t initially think they had a problem that needed treatment. They thought they could fix it themselves, when in reality they just needed a bit of support. It is possible to recover from alcoholism and regain control of your life. Here at Northpoint Recovery, we can provide you with the support you need to be successful.
Stage Four: The End Stage
They toast at a wedding with champagne, share a few drinks at happy hour with coworkers, and drink a few beers at sporting events. For all those who make it a part of their daily lives, it usually poses no problem. Even though abuse is not the same as addiction, the two are closely related to each other. For someone who is abusing alcohol, Sober Houses Rules That You Should Follow every effort should be made to stop. Odds are, a very clear image comes to mind when you think of an alcoholic. But not every alcoholic fits the stereotype so often portrayed in entertainment media or DARE classes.
The Physical Signs of Alcoholism
Between 3 and 43 percent of alcoholics suffer from thrombocytopenia, a low level of platelets in the blood. Low platelet counts affect the body’s ability to make clots to stop bleeding. Alcoholics often have defective red blood cells that die prematurely, which can cause a lower-than-normal red blood cell count. Gastrointestinal bleeding, a symptom some alcoholics experience, can also cause anemia, as can iron deficiency. Alcoholism can be difficult to detect from the outside, particularly early in the course of the disease.
National Recovery Month
- Alcoholism, a chronic brain disorder, manifests itself in various physical signs and symptoms.
- The model shows that a low level of job control increases the risk of death 11 and that low work support is a significant predictor of premature mortality among women 12.
- Their comprehensive approach, including medically-assisted detox, therapy, and aftercare support, can guide individuals safely through recovery.
- They may become irritable, aggressive, or anxious, even in situations where such behavior is unwarranted.
- High-functioning alcoholics are prevalent in the United States and all over the world.
What they fail to realize is it’s only a matter of time until alcoholism progresses for everyone unless they seek help. If the person keeps going down this path, they will follow the road of other alcoholics until they lose everything that once mattered to them. Even a functioning alcoholic can become homeless, penniless and alone if they are addicted long enough. They may come up with stories about their lack of productivity at work or make excuses for why they miss their kid’s baseball game. The person often realizes they are about to get fired so they move on to another job before it happens. It’s become such an intricate part of their lives that they rely on it to help them deal with stress, loneliness, anger and other emotions.
Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) or the “vampire disease”
In darker-skinned people, it may be more noticeable in the whites of the eye. Even diet-conscious alcoholic beverages like vodka sodas can lead to disproportionate belly weight if you drink enough of them. Now a clinical psychologist who works with people with addictions, Utter knows alcohol-use disorder falls on a spectrum. While some people with it do look like those bar patrons, many look perfectly healthy. In addition to dehydration, alcohol’s impact on the immune system can lead to more severe skin problems.
People with severe liver disease have a yellowish color to their skin and eyes. They typically have stomach pain, itchy skin, dark urine, swelling in the legs, nausea and lethargy. Alcoholics are prone to accidents and injuries due to impaired body systems that regulate movement and coordination. You may notice bumps, bruises or abrasions after drinking episodes or binges. Heavy alcohol intake also significantly increases the risk of falls.
Common physical signs of alcoholism
- They may also exhibit physical withdrawal symptoms, such as tremors, sweating, and nausea when attempting to stop or limit alcohol consumption.
- With frequent binge drinking or chronic heavy alcohol intake, the blood vessels in the face become permanently dilated and engorged, leading to the characteristic reddish appearance.
- These shakes increase in frequency as alcoholism moves into later stages.
- Alcoholism can consume a person’s life to the point where they prioritize drinking over basic self-care routines such as showering, brushing teeth, or maintaining a tidy appearance.
Insider talked to Utter and other specialists about some tell-tale signs of alcohol misuse or abuse — and how to change your patterns for better health and looks. Alcohol consumption can often lead to poor sleep, and a lack of quality rest can result in dark circles under the eyes. Alcohol disrupts the sleep cycle, preventing you https://yourhealthmagazine.net/article/addiction/sober-houses-rules-that-you-should-follow/ from reaching the deeper, more restful stages of sleep.
These effects happen because alcohol changes how neurotransmitters work. For example, it can boost the release of certain neurotransmitters that make you feel good. Recognizing them and seeking the right treatment can make a world of difference on your path to recovery. Hosted by Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares strategies for coping with alcohol cravings and other addictions, featuring addiction specialist John Umhau, MD. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).