For normal healthy adults, moderate alcohol consumption is generally safe. However, for more than 17.6 million people in the United States, alcohol is a much more severe problem. Generally, alcoholism is a disease with four distinct characteristics: craving, loss of control, physical dependence and tolerance, according to MedlinePlus. Acknowledging the physical symptoms of alcohol can help addicts receive the appropriate treatment before the disease causes serious medical complications.
Nausea, Sweating or Shakiness
When an alcoholic does not consume the regular amount of alcohol, the body will often go into withdrawal by exhibiting a series of physical symptoms. Nausea, sweating and shakiness can occur in either mild or severe episodes. In some cases, however, convulsions and tremens may occur in which alcoholics can experience hallucinations and intense anxiety, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Medical care is necessary for physicians to monitor patients and prevent any health problems. For example, if withdrawal symptoms occur multiple times without receiving the proper care, the symptoms can get progressively worse over time.
Blackouts
A more serious physical symptom of alcoholism is episodes of "blacking out," in which alcoholics will undergo a period of amnesia where they will not remember doing certain things, conversations or waking up in strange places, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Despite these black-outs, alcoholics will continue to excessively drink upwards of five drinks a day. Overtime, blackouts can become more severe as alcoholics start to build a tolerance for the drug. This increases the chances of experiencing blood alcohol poisoning or developing cirrhosis of the liver, MedlinePlus warns.
Weight Gain, Acne and Bad Breath
Weight gain, acne and bad breath are common physical symptoms an alcoholic can show. Weight gain can be due to several reasons including a high caloric intake or the advanced stages of liver disease in which unintentional weight gain occurs because of fluid collection, according to MedlinePlus. Acne and bad breath are a result of overall poor nutrition. Alcoholics may not eat enough and supplement their diet only with more alcohol. Overactive adrenal glands--which are responsible for the body's hormones--can produce excessive amounts of certain hormones such as corticosteroids, which are the body's natural response to stress, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These symptoms are common in a variety of other conditions and do not necessarily indicate alcoholism. However, if they are present in conjunction with other symptoms of alcohol abuse, patients or family and friends of patients should encourage intervention and treatment.
