Almost 80% of people in this subtype have a close family member who is also an alcoholic. Those who have chronic severe alcoholism also display other mental health diagnoses, such as depression, bipolar, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Certain physical signs and symptoms might indicate that you’ve developed an alcohol addiction. Symptoms of alcoholism vary, but in this piece we’ll focus on some of the physical signs of alcohol dependence. It can help to give you a clearer picture of the ailments, sensations and changes to your body that might happen as a result of alcoholism.
- When and how someone drinks is a factor that can differentiate an alcoholic from someone who is a heavy drinker.
- As alcohol dries the skin, our natural defence against pathogens, this can also lead to repeated skin infections.
- You never want to assume that one physical effect is a definitive sign of alcohol addiction.
Behavioral Signs of Alcoholism
People in the young antisocial subtype begin using alcohol at an earlier age than other groups. They can start drinking as young drug addiction treatment as 15 and become dependent on alcohol by 18. Young antisocial alcoholics are almost entirely male, with only 25% being female.
Elevated Liver Enzymes
- When you’re dehydrated, that can show up on your face in the form of dry, flaky skin, more visible signs of aging, or flare-ups of skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
- This article will explore the telltale signs to watch for, backed by recent studies and statistics.
- After all, studies have shown that almost 50% of adults wish to reduce their intake without giving up alcohol altogether.
- Chronic heavy drinking can lead to severe liver diseases, heart problems, and an increased risk of stroke.
Here are some other signs of alcoholism to look out for, besides the drinker’s face. Excessive alcohol consumption harms the liver, causing a yellowing of the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ skin known as jaundice. This can also affect the eyes, leaving them with a yellowish coloring.

Health Consequences of Alcohol Misuse

People may even bruise more easily because drinking interferes with bone marrow and the physical sign of alcoholism body’s production of platelets in the blood. Carrying excess weight around the abdominal area – often referred to as a “beer belly” – is one of the most visible signs of chronic alcohol abuse. Alcoholics frequently have a disproportionately large belly compared to the rest of their body. Other early signs of alcoholism include blackout drinking or a drastic change in demeanor while drinking, such as consistently becoming angry or violent. In addition to puffiness, alcohol can also cause facial redness due to vasodilation, where blood vessels widen, creating a flushed appearance.
