An alcohol disorder, or alcoholism, can cause very serious health complications. For most adults, moderate consumption of alcohol is not harmful; however, for more than 17.6 million adults in the United States, alcoholism is a serious disease that emerges when a dependency forms, according to MedlinePlus. There are alcohol disorder symptoms that can indicate a problem, which requires the proper evaluation and treatment. Persistent consumption of alcohol can lead to vital organ damage and death as well as increase the risk of both homicide and suicide.
Loss of Control and Compulsion to Drink
People suffering from an alcohol disorder will often exhibit a loss of control when it comes to alcohol, which also results in the compulsion to drink. Both those with full-blown alcoholism, as well as those who abuse alcohol, will display these symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com. The inability to limit the amount of alcohol consumed coupled with the incessant need to drink, significantly affects the personal and social life of the alcohol disorder sufferer. Often, individuals will hide alcohol is odd places such as the car, work or random areas of the home. They will often make a ritual out of the drinking, which may be at certain times of the day or while doing a specific activity. Interruption or disruption of this ritual can cause extreme irritation that may be confusing to family members or friends.
Blackouts
People with an alcohol disorder will often experience periods of blackouts in which complete or partial amnesia of significant events takes place, according to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health article "Alcohol Induced Blackout." Blacking out does not necessarily mean "passing out," as individuals may still carry on conversations, drive or continue whatever activity they are engaged in while drinking. Blackouts usually cause alcohol disorder sufferers to wake up in strange places without knowledge or memory of how they got there. This selective impairment is indicative of an alcohol problem, which can often have dangerous consequences for the individual involved.
Withdrawal
When a dependence on alcohol forms, withdrawal symptoms will appear, which include nausea, sweating and shaking, according to MayoClinic.com. Symptoms emerge within five to 10 hours after the last drink, although it can occur days later as well. Depending on the amount of normal consumption, the withdrawal symptoms can increase in both frequency and severity, according to MedlinePlus. Additional conditions include anxiety, depression, irritability, rapid heart rate and sweating. For severe cases, seizures, tremors and delirium can set in, which requires immediate medical attention.
