Chronic alcohol abuse plagues the body in a number of ways. Substance use disorder, including alcohol use disorder, includes physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms. These symptoms disrupt a person’s quality of life and can impact their relationship with the ones around them.
Understanding the physical symptoms of chronic alcohol abuse provides you with some knowledge about the issue. If you see these symptoms in yourself or someone you love, it may be time to seek addiction treatment.
Scroll down to learn more about the physical symptoms of chronic alcohol abuse and how to go about finding treatment.
Understanding the Physical Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
As mentioned above, substance use disorders typically have three categories of symptoms: physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, and behavioral symptoms. Physical symptoms are the symptoms that directly impact a person’s physical health and body. In contrast, psychological symptoms impact a person’s mental health, while behavioral symptoms impact a person’s behaviors.
Although the physical symptoms of alcohol abuse have a close relationship with the psychological and behavioral symptoms, it’s important that individuals who suffer from substance abuse take the physical symptoms seriously since they can be lifelong.
Most Common Physical Symptoms of Chronic Alcohol Abuse
Alcoholism negatively impacts the body in many ways. The severity of the addiction largely impacts how severe these symptoms are. The signs and symptoms of long-term alcoholism change based on how long they have been using and if they are continuing to use.
As such, it’s important to look at warning signs, long-term physical symptoms, and withdrawal symptoms when looking at the physical symptoms of chronic alcohol abuse. All three categories give you a complete picture of the physical symptoms associated with alcohol abuse.
Here is a look at each one of those categories and their respective symptoms.
Warning Signs of Alcoholism
If you are not sure if a loved one suffers from alcoholism, there are some physical warning signs to look out for. Some of these warning signs include:
- Sudden changes in weight
- Increased tolerance
- Blackouts
- Memory loss
- Declining health
- Alcohol poisoning
Keep in mind that these are not the only warning signs to be aware of. Research behavioral and psychological symptoms and warning signs as well.
Long-Term Physical Symptoms of Chronic Alcohol Abuse
It’s not enough to just know the warning signs. You also have to know the long-term physical symptoms of chronic alcohol abuse. These are the symptoms that arise once a person has been a chronic drinker for years. Some long-term symptoms include:
- Liver diseases
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Alcohol poisoning
Physical Symptoms When Withdrawing from Alcohol
A person who suffers from alcohol use disorder likely has a high tolerance to alcohol. If they stop drinking, their body will go into withdrawal. The physical withdrawal symptoms when stopping alcohol include:
- Irritability
- Depression
- Nausea
- Depression
- Restlessness
- Trouble sleeping
- Sweating
- Tremors
What to Do If You or a Loved One Shows Physical Symptoms of Chronic Alcohol Abuse
If you or a loved one shows any of the physical symptoms of chronic alcohol abuse above, it’s important to act quickly. The sooner you can get into treatment, the sooner your health can improve. Given that the physical symptoms of chronic alcohol use can be lifelong, you want to stop drinking as soon as possible.
Begin Your New Life with Elysium Healthcare
Elysium Healthcare provides luxury addiction treatment facilities in California. All of our facilities are top-rated and provide comprehensive care. With the help of Elysium Healthcare on your side, you can find a treatment facility that can help you begin your new life. Contact Elysium Healthcare today to learn more about our treatment options.
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