Signs of Alcoholism Behavioral and Physical Symptoms

An alcoholic may exhibit cracked or peeling nails, frizzy hair and dry patches of skin across their body. If the individual is unable to consume their regular frequency and quantity of alcohol, they may begin to exhibit alcohol withdrawal symptoms including tremors, nausea and excessive perspiration. If you find yourself regularly thinking about your next drink, or if you’ve tried to cut back on drinking and never quite succeeded, you may have an alcohol addiction. This is the rarest subtype, making up only 9% of people addicted to alcohol in the United States.

There are many other areas of appearance outside of the skin and face that can be affected by alcohol abuse. Yes, alcohol can cause facial bloating, and there are several studies to support this. A 2014 study in the journal Clinical Endocrinology found that alcohol disrupts the body’s fluid balance, leading to water retention in the skin.

If you think a loved one may be addicted to alcohol, learn the warning signs and symptoms to know when you should seek help.

Treating the alcohol use disorder, along with the health problems caused by chronic, heavy drinking, may be possible. The first step will likely be a medically supervised detox, which will help rid your body of toxins and manage the symptoms of withdrawal. Many people use the terms “alcohol abuse” and “alcoholism” interchangeably. However, alcoholism refers to alcohol addiction or dependence, where the individual has a physical or psychological compulsion to drink alcohol. Alcohol abuse refers to a pattern of behavior where a person drinks excessively in spite of the negative consequences. The relationship between mental health conditions and alcohol use disorder is complex.

They drink less frequently than the other subtypes, but when they do drink, they’re likely to overdo it and binge. Unless you have religious or personal restrictions, a few drinks with friends or a glass of wine with dinner is usually not an issue. The problem starts, though, when you begin abusing the substance. Drinking alcohol on a regular basis can also lead to dependence, which means your body and brain have grown used to alcohol’s effects. With these conditions, you’ll only notice symptoms during alcohol intoxication or withdrawal.

Anemia (Low Red Blood Cell Count)

If you think you might have a problem with alcohol, call SAMHSA or talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you cope, make a treatment plan, prescribe medications and refer physical signs of alcoholism you to support programs. Your doctor can see how well your liver is functioning by testing the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

Research suggests that easy access to substances, such as alcohol, can be a contributing factor to the number of high school students in the United States who live with alcohol use disorder. But not everyone who has alcohol use disorder will have the same symptoms. Alcoholics Anonymous is available almost everywhere and provides a place to openly and non-judgmentally discuss alcohol problems with others who have alcohol use disorder.

How Alcoholism Affects Appearance

The symptoms, genetics, and brain structure related to mental health conditions can increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder. Some people with mental health concerns may self-medicate with alcohol. MCV is the average concentration of hemoglobin in a red blood cell.

More seriously, this reduced clotting leads to an increased risk of stroke. A 2020 study published in Nutrients also confirmed alcohol’s diuretic effect and subsequent water retention, causing facial puffiness https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-addiction-treatment-how-to-make-alcohol-recovery-sustainable/ in 78% of individuals studied. Alcohol not only dehydrates your skin but also your hair and hair follicles. This can lead to hair becoming brittle and prone to damage, as well as hair loss.