According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), two thirds of men and one half of women in the United States drink alcohol regularly. For most of these people, this does not pose a problem, but approximately one quarter of this population suffers from alcoholism. Alcohol abuse affects both the physical and psychological health of a patient, and over time the symptoms of alcohol abuse can become life-threatening.
Background
As discussed on MayoClinic.com. alcoholism is a chronic disease in which the body becomes dependent on alcohol and in which a person does not have control over their drinking. Long-term alcohol use affects every organ system in the body and changes brain chemistry in a way that makes patients more susceptible to depression and anxiety. Additionally, alcoholism causes social problems such as difficulty keeping a job or maintaining family relationships and friendships. It can be difficult to diagnose alcoholism, particularly because many patients are resistant to this diagnosis and may be in denial that alcohol abuse is a problem.
Types of Medical Symptoms
Many of the long-term symptoms of alcohol abuse are related to physical processes. Fatty liver or alcoholic hepatitis may develop, and in some cases liver failure can occur. A patient with liver failure may note abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin and changes in urine and stool color. Long-term alcohol use can also cause inflammation of the pancreas which in some cases can be deadly. Cancer, particularly of the liver, can develop as a result of tissue scarring or of chronic exposure to alcohol. A patient with cancer may have symptoms of weight loss, fever or pain.
Types of Psychiatric Symptoms
Long-term alcohol abuse can have psychiatric symptoms as well. A patient may note worsening depression and anxiety. Additionally, increased violence or anger resulting in accidents or abuse towards other people may result. These issues may result in legal issues, particularly if the patient is violent towards other people when inebriated. Psychiatric symptoms may be difficult to treat until a patient receives treatment for alcoholism.
Diagnosis
It may be difficult to diagnose the long-term symptoms of alcohol abuse if a patient is in denial that alcoholism is an issue for them. Lab tests that look at liver function can detect abnormalities and a liver biopsy can help determine if these abnormalities are a result of alcohol abuse. A physician may be able to detect certain signs, such as an enlarged liver or changes in blood vessels, during a physical exam. Typically, however, a frank discussion of a patient's alcohol use can often help to determine whether complications are secondary to long-term alcohol abuse.
Treatment
The primary treatment for the long-term symptoms of alcohol abuse is cessation of alcohol. Once the alcohol has been stopped, some of the symptoms are likely to resolve. Treatment programs with counseling are often helpful in treatment of alcoholism. Additionally, medications that make a patient feel ill or vomit once alcohol is consumed can be used as a deterrent for relapse. Unfortunately, some organ systems may be permanently damaged by long-term alcohol abuse. If liver failure has resulted, the patient may need to be considered for possible liver transplant.
