What are the signs of alcoholism, what are the withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking and can abuse lead to liver disease?
Alcohol dependency can be very dangerous, and can cause long last damage if you're drinking too many units a week
ALCOHOL abuse can be dangerous – not only are there short term threats of being intoxicated, it can also cause long lasting damage.
But what should you be looking out for? Here’s the lowdown.
What are the signs of alcoholism?
According to , the signs and symptoms of alcoholism are:
- A lack of interest in previous activites
- Appearing drunk more regularly
- Needing to drink more in order to achieve the same effects
- Looking tired, unwell or irritable
- Not being able to say no to a drink
- Anxiety, depression, or other mental health problems
- Becoming secretive or dishonest
What are the withdrawal symptoms?
Like any addiction, giving up alcohol when you’ve come to depend on it is very tough.
According to Drinkaware, if you experience these after drinking heavily, then they are likely alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
- hand tremors (‘the shakes’)
- sweating
- nausea
- visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not actually real)
- seizures (fits) in the most serious cases
- depression or anxiety
- restlessness or insomnia
If you are experiencing these symptoms numerous days a week, you are probably dependent on alcohol and should seek help as soon as possible.
People with dependence often experience an uncontrollable desire to drink, and feel that they need alcohol to function.
Can alcoholism lead to liver disease?
Excess alcohol intake damages the liver, causing Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD).
There are several stages of severity, but you don’t usually notice symptoms until the liver is severely damaged.
According to the NHS, these may include feeling sick, loss of appetite and losing weight, jaundice, swelling in the ankles and tummy, drowsiness, and vomiting or excreting blood.
In some cases, a liver transplant may be necessary.