Alcoholism Symptoms

Symptoms for alcoholism can be broken down into three categories: Withdrawal, dependency and long term.
Withdrawal symptoms usually begin after 24 hours of abstinence and are most prevalent in people who are addicted / dependent on alcohol.

Anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, sweating, nausea and diarrhoea and some of the symptoms of alcoholism withdrawal.

Delirium tremens is the most severe case of withdrawal symptoms, as it consists of confusion, disorientation and hallucination. Seizures and epileptic fits can also occur.

Alcoholism symptoms of dependency can be split up into two groups, physical and psychological.

The physical symptoms of dependency include all of the withdrawal symptoms listed above as well as the addict now having a high tolerance to alcohol. The individual will also begin to use alcohol to relieve any withdrawal symptoms.

Psychological symptoms include making alcohol a priority in your life and forgetting about other duties such as work and family responsibilities. A set drinking pattern and cravings for alcohol also form part of the withdrawal symptoms.

Longer term symptoms can be caused by the effects that alcohol has on the body. Liver damage is the most documented form of this and could eventually lead up to liver cirrhosis.

Brain damage (dementia and memory loss), heart failure, high blood pressure, cancers and pancreas damage are all effects of long term alcoholism.

From a social and mental aspect, problems in personal relationships and your career can also occur.