Alcoholism Signs and Symptoms

Alcoholism is an intense persistent desire to consume alcohol, triggered due to prolonged and excessive alcohol intake, leading to threatening effects on the health of the individual. In medicine, alcoholism is defined as a disease which forces an individual for persistent usage of alcohol, by turning a blind eye to its negative effects. Over a period of time, drinking becomes more important than family, friends, career or anything else. The effects of alcohol start showing on the individual, physically as well as mentally. Initially started for fun, consumption of alcohol becomes a necessity. Individuals start gulping down drinks with the intention of becoming intoxicated, just to feel normal.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism
A person suffering from alcohol addiction seldom accepts that he has a drinking problem. Most of drinking sessions are done alone or kept secret from friends and family. Drinking alcohol becomes habitual either before or during dinner, and if at all this habit is disturbed or questioned, the individual gets annoyed and irritated. The person gets so used to alcohol, that he requires it to relieve stress, feel normal or even just to get sleep. Other prominent traits that most of the alcoholics sport are hiding bottles of alcohol in the house or denying consumption of alcohol. Drinking gives them utmost pleasure and they feel it's impossible to sustain themselves without it, thus becoming totally dependent on it.

Alcoholism Signs and Symptoms: Physical Signs
The physical signs and symptoms of alcoholism are those which can be seen or experienced on the body of the individual suffering from alcoholism, either by the individual himself or by people around him. This may include slurred speech and unsteadiness when in intoxicated state or blackouts, caused due to excessive drinking, wherein the individual doesn't remember conversations or commitments. Over a period of time other signs, such as, upset stomach and weight loss are also noticed. If such a person suddenly stops drinking, he experiences severe withdrawal symptoms, such as, numbness in hands and feet, excessive sweating, nausea and trembling, and may require proper alcohol rehab to come out of it.

Alcoholism Signs and Symptoms: Mental Signs
The mental signs and symptoms of alcoholism are the behavioral changes observed in the individual suffering from alcoholism, most often by the people around him and less frequently by the individual himself. The most prominent symptom is the inability to control drinking. One drink leads to another, and this goes on. The frequency of negative emotions such as irritability, agitation, anger, etc. increases, with the person exhibiting irritable behavior as the usual time for drinking nears and often displays agitation or anger when alcohol is not available. Alcoholics normally tend to display a high degree of violence in minor matters. The individual is less enthusiastic about activities which don't include drinking. Sleep patterns are disturbed and the individual experiences immense difficulty in keeping commitments.

Overall, the person loses interest in all those activities which used to give him pleasure earlier, because drinking becomes the most important activity for him. He looks forward to his drinking sessions at the end of the day or gulps drinks at the slightest opportunity. These were some common alcoholism signs and symptoms demonstrated by alcoholics, i.e. people who are dependent on alcohol. People who take to alcohol abuse to a relatively lower extent also experience these signs, but unlike people who are dependent on alcohol, they don't experience withdrawal symptoms if they don't get to drink. Alcoholism only worsens over the period of time and if not curbed by alcohol treatment at the right time, it can even lead to life threatening conditions.