Signs of Alcoholism Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

For anyone who has seen any signs of alcoholism either within themselves, family members, or close friends, these indications should not be ignored because of its severe and irreversible consequences.

There are many serious complications that can arise from consuming alcohol in excessive amounts. From liver damage to impairment of judgment and motor skills, those affected by alcohol abuse or excessive drinking do not seem like the same person as when they are sober. Many people drink for various reasons from either constant partying, or depression and other emotional problems.

Introduction to the Ill-Effects of Alcoholism

The ill-effects and signs of alcoholism can vary among different individuals with more or less serious drinking habits. Binge drinking is usually a clear indication of the addicting effects of alcohol.

The drug that is in alcohol is ethanol and is a depressant to the human body's central nervous system. There are many serious effects of abusing alcohol and some include liver disease, brain damage, or weakening of defense and immune systems. Other effects to the body include visual impairment, numbness to pain, and delayed reactions in certain situations.

What is Alcohol Abuse?

When trying to find out what is alcohol abuse in medical terms, you would need to remember that this condition is diagnosed by a psychiatric professional.

Abuse is defined as the reoccurring consumption of alcohol even though the negative effects are obvious and apparent. One sure sign of alcoholism is binge drinking which can lead to serious problems if continued for long periods. In essence, the patterns of excessive drinking are the foundation of what is alcohol abuse.

Common Forms of Alcohol Abuse

There are a few common forms of alcohol abuse which depend on the type of drinker and when they are consuming the most alcohol. Any one of these conditions may be damaging to the body and cause serious complications to the drinker's overall health.

• Binge Drinking – This form of alcohol abuse is common and involves those who have episodes where they must drink as much as they can to get heavily intoxicated quickly.
• Chronic Drinking – There are many individuals of all ages who drink constantly in attempts to stay intoxicated at all times.
• Dependent Drinking – This sign of alcoholism involves a drinker who cannot enjoy any activity without consuming drinks in the process.
• Functional Drinker – This rare form of abusing alcohol involves the drinker who can still go to work and do other activities while consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.

Whether a binge drinker or a functional one, the excessive amount of alcohol consumed will negatively affect the brain, liver, and many other areas of the body. When stricken with the ill-effects of alcohol, those enmeshed in this disease are often not able to see what they are doing to themselves and those around them.

Why Alcohol Abuse Is So Hard to Beat

There is a scientific reasoning behind how to access what is and what is not constituted as alcohol abuse. Though some signs of alcoholism may be present, abuse is characterized by the drinker's inability to stop consuming alcohol.

Also, they are living with a chronic condition that keeps them from quitting or cutting down on the drinks. Despite any life changes, legal consequences, or other life-changing effects of drinking, those who live with alcohol abuse are unable to live without it.

Downsides of Alcohol Abuse

Besides the amount of money wasted by those who have alcohol abuse, there are countless downsides to drinking excessively. From perception changes to organ damage, the more the drinker consumes the higher chances that they will experience the following complications.

• Liver Disease – The heavier the drinking, the chances of liver disease are drastically increased and can cause irreparable effects to your body.
• Sedative Effects – Those who drink excessively or abuse alcohol will often feel drowsy and sleepy because their nervous system has slowed down from the effects of alcohol.
• Behavioral Problems – Alcohol contains ethanol which increases the drinker's inhibitions and may cause them to do things they otherwise would never consider.
• Affects Judgment – Drinkers who have problems abusing alcohol will also encounter changes in perception and also distorted visual abilities, dulled senses like taste and smell, and even a reduction with perceiving or registering pain.
• Impairs Motor Skills – Those who abuse alcohol will experience an impairment of their motor skills and will notice that their reactions are slower than normal.

When the signs of alcoholism are surfacing, the condition will only worsen day by day because excessive drinking and alcohol abuse is a disease of the body and mind. Not only is the person at risk of having problems with their body such as with the liver or vision, but the mind is most affected and can become addicted to alcohol even if drinkers know deep down that it is harmful to them.

Alcohol Abuse – Cures

From curing severe signs of alcoholism, or treating an ongoing case of alcohol abuse, there are many self-help guides, programs, and centers to assist heavy and excessive drinkers with quitting. The effects of alcohol can be life-threatening so taking action immediately is crucial to increasing the chances of beating alcohol abuse. Most people cannot see what they are getting into when they start drinking heavily and more consistently so most cases will require friends, family members, or even coworkers to begin the process of treatment.

This chronic disease is not just of the body but mainly attacks the minds of those affected by it. For example, binge drinking can quickly damage your body's overall health but the mind of the drinker is telling them to consume as much as they can so that the good feelings will outweigh the consequences.

Getting help for such a condition is not easy and often requires the support and assistance of family and friends. But if you see signs of alcoholism in someone you love, don't be afraid to take action immediately to save them when they cannot help themselves.