Physical Symptoms of Alcoholism and Recovery

______________________________________________________________________

What are the physical symptoms of alcoholism and recovery?  It is unmistakably clear that alcoholism physically affects people while they are addicted and actively drinking and also when they decide to quit drinking and experience withdrawal symptoms as they attempt to recover from this disease.

The Physical Symptoms of Alcoholism

To break this topic down in more understandable segments, we will focus first on the physical symptoms of alcoholism and then on the physical aspects of alcohol withdrawal.

One way to look at the physical symptoms of alcoholism is to focus on the typical alcoholic behaviors in the various stages of alcoholism which is the next topic.

Alcoholic Behaviors in The First Stage of Alcoholism

The following represents some of the classic alcoholic behaviors in the first stage of alcoholism:

• Lack of recognition by the person that he or she is in the early stages of a progressive illness
• Boasting and a "big shot" complex
• Gross Drinking Behavior - more frequent drinking of greater amounts
• A conscious effort to seek out more drinking opportunities
• Increasing tolerance
• An ability to drink great amounts of alcohol without any apparent impairment

Alcoholic Behaviors in The Second Stage of Alcoholism

The following represents some of the classic alcoholic behaviors in the second stage of alcoholism: 

• Gulping the first few drinks to feel the "buzz" faster
• Increasing tolerance
• Drinking because of dependence rather than for stress relief
• Blaming problems on others and on things external to themselves
• Unsuccessful attempts to stop drinking
• Physical problems increase
• Sneaking extra drinks before social events
• More frequent blackouts
• Chronic hangovers
• Sporadic loss of control

Alcoholic Behaviors in The Third Stage of Alcoholism

The following represents some of the classic alcoholic behaviors in the third stage of alcoholism:

• Loss of control have become a pattern
• Serious financial, relationship, and work-related problems
• The development of an alibi system - an elaborate system of excuses for their drinking
• Aggressive and grandiose behavior
• Eye-openers
• Loss of interests 
• The start of physical deterioration
• Avoidance of family and friends
• Frequent violent or destructive behavior
• A decrease in alcohol tolerance
• An increase in failed promises and resolutions to one's self and to others
• Unreasonable resentments
• Problems with the law (e.g, DUIs)
• Neglect of necessities such as food
• Loss of willpower
• Increased tremors
• Half-hearted attempts at seeking medical aid  

Alcoholic Behaviors in The Fourth Stage of Alcoholism

The following represents some of the classic alcoholic behaviors in the fourth stage of alcoholism:

• loss of tolerance for alcohol
• obsession with drinking 
• "the shakes"
• moral deterioration
• the "DTs"
• devaluation of personal relationships
• continual loss of control
• unreasonable resentments and hostility toward others
• auditory and visual hallucinations
• the collapse of the alibi system
• benders, or lengthy intoxications  

Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a group of symptoms exhibited by individuals who stop drinking alcohol after a pattern of continuous and excessive consumption.  These symptoms can range from mild to moderate to severe and include both behavioral and psychological components.

Physical Symptoms of Withdrawal

There is a fairly typical pattern of physical symptoms in the withdrawal process from alcohol.  As noted above, some of these symptoms are psychological and others are behavioral or physical.  

Mild to Moderate Physical Withdrawal Symptoms

The following represents mild to moderate physical symptoms that typically occur within 6 to 48 hours after the last alcoholic drink:

• headache (especially those that pulsate)
• Involuntary, abnormal movements of the eyelids
• Loss of appetite
• Abnormal movements
• Sweating (especially on the face or the palms of the hands)
• Tremor of the hands
• Clammy skin
• Insomnia, sleeping difficulties
• Looking pale, without color
• Rapid heart rate
• Eyes or pupils different size (enlarged, dilated pupils)
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

The following represents severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms that typically occur within 48 to 96 hours after the last alcoholic drink:

• Visual hallucinations
• Delirium tremens (DTs)
• Severe autonomic nervous system overactivity
• Black outs
• Muscle tremors
• Convulsions
• Fever
• Seizures

What To Do When Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms

The first concern when experiencing alcohol withdrawal should be "who should I contact about the alcohol withdrawal symptoms I am experiencing"  rather than "what helps for alcohol withdrawals?"  When experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, always see your doctor or healthcare provider immediately so that he or she can assess the severity of your situation and suggest the best option for treatment.

Physical Symptoms of Alcoholism and Recovery:  Conclusion

Based on the above, it is clear that alcoholism affects people while they are drinking and also when they want to recover from their addiction and experience withdrawal symptoms.  Treatment options for withdrawal and the different recovery programs can be found on other pages of this website.  The important messages regarding the physical symptoms of alcoholism and recovery are these.  First, alcoholism leads to a series of damaging physical and psychological behaviors and problems that will continue and intensify unless the person stops drinking.  And second, abstaining from alcohol for the alcoholic typically results in withdrawal symptoms.

The physical symptoms of alcoholism and recovery are the unpleasant realities of alcohol addiction.  The first step in the recovery process is acknowledging that you have a drinking problem and then having the desire and the will to stop drinking.  Once the alcoholic reaches this point, the next hurdle to overcome is how to handle the withdrawal symptoms that usually follow.  Unquestionably the best way to cope with and overcome the withdrawal symptoms is to see your doctor or healthcare provider immediately so that he or she can assess the severity of your situation and suggest the best treatment plan for your particular situation.

Please Add Our Website To Your Favorite Bookmarks!

___________________________________________________