Signs & Symptoms of Chronic Alcoholism

Chronic alcoholism is distinct from earlier stages of alcoholism in that it takes place over a long time. It's often the most severe stage of alcoholism because the alcoholic is both utterly dependent upon drinking and yet tolerant enough of alcohol that she requires greater and greater amounts to attain a sense of inebriation. Symptoms of chronic alcoholism appear both within the drinker's body and in her psychological behavior.

Blood Pressure

• In cases of chronic alcoholism, the imbibers' blood vessels expand and become more prominent, especially on their faces around the nose or cheeks. Skin becomes redder and purple blotches may appear on their face when they lie down. Blood pressure tends to spike as well, creating attendant problems with their heart (increasing the possibility of a stroke or a heart attack).

Digestion and Liver Problems

• Chronic alcoholism causes severe damage to a person's digestive system, resulting in bad breath, severe weight gain and more serious conditions such as chronic gastritis. It can become a vicious cycle, since alcohol use results in decreased activity (and accompanying weight gain). The liver also suffers from chronic drinking, resulting in abdominal pain, vomiting and jaundiced skin.

Secrecy

• Chronic alcoholics have a tendency to drink in secret--alone and often constructing elaborate alibis to hide evidence of their drinking. They keep drinks in hidden locations--such as the car or a shed outside the house--and will become angry if confronted with evidence of their deceit. In some cases, the drinking itself instigates a blackout, in which the person truly doesn't remember what he did or said (and thus maintains his innocence when faced with the consequences).

Compulsion

• For chronic alcoholics, drinking often becomes an all-consuming obsession. They make drinking a ritual and become annoyed when they can't have drinks at their set time. Because their tolerance is so much greater, they can consume alcohol in extremely large amounts, swallowing doubles or triples in a single gulp and drinking in order to feel "normal." Chronic alcoholics often become intoxicated for extended periods of time--days or longer in some cases--which wreaks further havoc on their homes and professional lives.

Withdrawal

• Because chronic alcoholism entails a physical addiction to drinking, the alcoholic may undergo symptoms of withdrawal if she stops drinking for any reason. Withdrawal symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, chronic sweats, body tremors and, in some cases, visual hallucinations. In cases where the alcoholic resolves to stop drinking, a trained physician needs to monitor her, lest the withdrawal symptoms threaten her health.