Alcoholism Symptoms

Alcoholism Symptoms

Alcoholism symptoms are caused by reactions in the body and mind to the toxic effects of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) that is contained in alcoholic drinks. Consistently high levels of alcohol intake, and or binge drinking can create distressing alcoholism symptoms.

Appearance of Positive Effects

Alcohol induced lack of inhibition can lead to people
expoxing themselves to hazardous situations

The original reasons why people choose to drink alcohol are for what appear to be positive symptoms related to alcohol use. As a central nervous system depressant alcohol use makes us feel less tense, less inhibited, less active and less anxious. Alcohol also stimulates dopamine release. Initially alcohol drinking can lead to feelings of euphoria.

Mental and Physical Impairment

Alcohol drinking causes memory loss and a lack of concentration, slows our reactions, and inhibits motor skills. Advanced alcoholics might have permanent difficulties with spatial and motor co-ordination. Generally, the alcoholic has no insight as to the level of his mental and physical impairment. Alcohol induced lack of inhibition can lead to people exposing themselves to hazardous situations, without appreciating the risk. Drunk driving, unsafe sex are common risks that people run when intoxicated by alcohol.

The Continuous Need to Drink

It is perhaps a sign of, a marker for alcoholism that the alcoholic will continue with drinking behavior, despite the onset and regular appearance of painful or disturbing symptoms of alcoholism.

The main symptom of alcoholism is that when an alcoholic stops drinking alcohol he will feel an overwhelming sense of depletion, irritability, depression, and often a desire to have more alcohol to drink. With advanced alcoholism, the drinker no longer drinks to get high, and feel euphoric, drinking alcohol only enables the advanced alcoholic to feel normal.

Food and Alcoholism

Alcohol dulls the taste buds and leaves an after taste in the mouth. Alcoholics often refer to having a "liquid lunch". Feeling nauseous and vomiting after drinking too much can be symptoms of alcohol addiction.

Alcohol drinks are high in calories, but low in nutritional content. Depending on basic personality style, an alcoholic may acquire an extended, bloated stomach, or become thin and emaciated. An irritated stomach, acute gastritis can be a symptom of alcoholism.

Depletion of Vital Nutrients

Alcoholism causes depletion of vital nutrients, particularly B group vitamins that are needed for nervous system regulation. Nervous irritability as a symptom of alcohol abuse can include tremors and shaking of the hands, muscular spasms and tics that are relieved only by alcohol drinking. Confusion and loss of memory can be symptoms of alcohol abuse. Symptoms of confusion can lead to delirium tremens. (Reference article)

Here are some visible signs that may be observed with chronic alcohol abusers:

• Fixed, glassy stare
• Being morose
• Being feisty and aggressive
• Being verbally or physically abusive

Health Problem Resulting from Alcoholism

When people use alcohol excessively, and neglect their health, there are a range of diseases that are symptomatic of alcoholism. People can look haggard, older than their years. Alcohol drinking can rot the teeth and encourage gum disease. Cancers of the mouth and throat can be caused by excessive alcohol drinking. (article: Drinking Accelerates Ageing of Cells)

Liver and Chronic Alcohol Drinker

As the liver is the site where all alcohol is processed and de-toxed, damage to the liver is often present in a chronic alcohol drinker. There can be a build-up of fatty deposits, and eventually cirrhosis. Cirrhosis of the liver can be a painful and terminal condition that can only be relieved by total cessation of alcohol drinking.

Individualization and Alcohol Addiction

With advanced alcohol addiction a person can become socially withdrawn, introspective, self focused, might often drink alone. Isolation and depression often drive people to alcohol addiction. Compulsive use of alcohol has a tendency to negate other positive relationships, such that alcoholics can end up feeling very much trapped within themselves.

The Narconon Solution to Alcoholism

All alcoholics need alcohol rehab and supervised alcohol withdrawal to get them permanently sober and clean of alcohol abuse.

Narconon is an established comprehensive alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation program that has been helping people to achieve full recovery from alcohol addiction since 1966. Presented with facts, most alcoholics want to quit. With alcohol being so readily, and legally available, for many alcoholics, the temptation to use alcohol is too great when faced with the type of emotional and physical triggers that set them up for alcohol drinking. Alcohol addiction treatment is more than stopping alcohol drinking. A person needs help to rebuild their body and to change their attitude towards problems in their life.

The Narconon program has the purpose to replace the introverted, negative feelings of the alcoholic with a sense of empowerment, realistic expectations, a better understanding about human relationship, and improved self-esteem.

Complete with a drug-free detox from all alcohol residues in the body, the Narconon graduate is enabled to return to society happy, contented and sober, to fulfill his potential in life, as a valued and respected member of the wider community.