Alcoholism is a psychological disorder that arises when individuals cannot control how much alcohol they consume.
Otherwise known as alcohol addictions, alcoholism affects more than half a million people in England alone each year, yet only a small fraction of those make contact with a rehab to secure treatment.
When treatment is not sought for alcoholism, alcohol consumption gradually impairs an individual’s health and well-being. As the body and brain become unable to cope, signs and symptoms of alcoholism arise. These symptoms vary from person to person. However, they essentially act as warning signs that treatment is needed.
At Addiction Advocates, we have provided a wealth of information regarding the signs and symptoms of alcoholism here.
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Physical Signs
Physical signs and symptoms of alcoholism impact an individual’s general health and well-being. They make those struggling with alcoholism feel extremely unwell and often lead to long-term health complications.
While the physical signs and symptoms of alcoholism experienced will depend on the severity of addiction, it is not uncommon for the following to be encountered:
- Persistent headaches
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Weight gain
- Changes in complexion
- Recurring illnesses due to a weakened immune system
- Cardiovascular disease
- Digestive system problems
- Liver problems
- Organ failure
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
In addition to the above, when alcoholism is present, signs and symptoms may include excessive sweating, shakiness and tremors. These particular symptoms highlight that an individual is withdrawing from alcohol.
Psychological Signs
The naked eye cannot see the psychological signs and symptoms of alcoholism. However, those struggling with alcoholism will experience intense psychological signs and symptoms that lead to many mental health disorders. These signs and symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Anxiety
- Low moods
- Depression
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Intense cravings to consume alcohol
- Uncontrollable thoughts and impulses to consume alcohol
- Paranoia
- Burnout
- Reduced cognitive function
Impairing an individual in the aftermath of consuming alcohol, psychological symptoms drive impulses that see many consume larger quantities of alcohol on a recurring basis.
Behavioural Signs
As the psychological signs and symptoms of alcoholism become difficult to navigate, changes in an individual’s behaviour are observed.
Medical professionals and recovery support workers will often review these particular changes to determine the impact that alcoholism has had on all aspects of an individual’s life.
Behavioural signs and symptoms of alcoholism include:
- Becoming extremely secretive
- Financial difficulty
- Debt
- Lack of interest in hobbies
- Reduced commitment
- Isolation from others
- Legal problems
- Poor performance at work
Though the behavioural signs and symptoms significantly impact those struggling with alcoholism, they also affect family members and friends. As a result, it is not uncommon for relationships to break down when alcoholism controls an individual’s every waking moment.
Treatment For Alcoholism
As alcoholism profoundly affects an individual’s life, alcoholism treatment must be secured when the signs and symptoms are noted above the surface.
Provided by both NHS rehabs and private rehabs, alcoholism treatment can be accessed by anyone who requires it. However, the treatment required will essentially determine which type of rehab should be attended.
NHS rehabs provide outpatient treatment to those struggling with alcoholism. Including one-to-one therapy and group therapy, this treatment is beneficial. However, addictions require personalised treatment, which is why we recommend that our clients attend private inpatient rehab.
Alcoholism Treatment at a private inpatient rehab sees individual progress through a personalised treatment programme. Consisting of detoxification, rehabilitation and relapse prevention, these treatments give those in need the best possible chance of overcoming alcoholism.
Detoxification ensures that an individual can withdraw from alcohol and physically recover from the signs and symptoms experienced. In contrast, rehabilitation caters to the psychological signs and symptoms of alcoholism and addresses the cause of alcoholism through the employment of therapies.
Cognitive behavioural therapy, for example, encourages those in recovery to understand the triggers that leave them craving alcohol to ensure that coping strategies can be developed. Well-being therapies are also administered to guarantee that behaviours associated with alcoholism can be managed.
Irrespective of the rehab attended, alcoholism treatment enables many to secure a long-term recovery free from the shackles of addiction.
Contact Us Today
When alcohol addiction is present, treatment must be sought as soon as possible.
Here at Addiction Advocates, we have created a self-referral service that makes it easier to secure alcoholism treatment.
To take advantage of our self-referral service or talk to us about the signs and symptoms experienced, please get in touch with us today by calling 0800 012 6088. Alternatively, please chat with us online now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seth is an author, addiction recovery expert and fully accredited member of the national counselling society. He has experience working with a wide range of addictions and mental illnesses using a number of evidence-based therapies and programmes such as the SMART models of addiction recovery.
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