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Physical & Psychological Symptoms of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is characterized by excessive and frequent use of alcohol that eventually leads to adverse mental and physical health conditions. According to Medline Plus, between five and ten percent of male drinkers and three to five percent of female drinkers in the United States are alcohol dependent. Alcoholics experience the symptoms of being drunk (intoxication), as well as physical and psychological symptoms specific to alcohol addiction.

  1. CNS Depressant Effects

    • Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, and a person who is intoxicated may experience a decrease in activity, anxiety, inhibitions and tension, according to Medline Plus. Consuming alcohol leads to changes in behavior, decrease in the speed of motor skills and interferes with thinking, concentration and judgment, according to Medline Plus.

    Ritualistic Drinking

    • People who are dependent on alcohol often develop rituals around the consumption of alcohol. Ritualistic behaviors may include drinking alone or hiding drinking, stashing alcohol, habitually drinking around dinner time, being anxious or irritable when a set drinking time is nearing, being anxious about not having alcohol as well as being annoyed if the drinking ritual is interrupted, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Dependence Symptoms

    • Alcoholics display symptoms of dependence on alcohol. These include, according to the Mayo Clinic and Medline Plus, feeling compelled to drink, not being able to limit the amount of alcohol consumed, consuming large amounts in a short time (gulping behavior or ordering doubles), drinking to regain a "normal" feeling, making excuses to drink and having an increasing tolerance to alcohol that leads to drinking more.

    Anger

    • People who are dependent on alcohol may exhibit symptoms of anger. These include violence during drinking, as well as being hostile when another person confronts the alcoholic about her drinking, according to Medline Plus.

    Relationship Issues

    • Alcoholics may have a number of problems maintaining relationships in their personal and professional lives, and may also have legal and financial problems. "Blacking out," or not being able to remember events, conversations and commitments is a problem symptom for alcoholics, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Lack of Interest

    • When a person is dependent on alcohol, he may lose interest in activities he used to enjoy, according to the Mayo Clinic. Medline Plus also reports that alcoholics may not care about the way they look and may neglect eating.

    Other Physical Symptoms

    • Alcoholism manifests itself in physical symptoms. In addition to nausea and vomiting, alcoholics may experience numbness and tingling, as well as shaking in the morning, according to Medline Plus.

    Withdrawal Symptoms

    • When a person who is dependent on a drug cannot or does not use that drug, she may go through symptoms of withdrawal. These include anxiety, confusion, psychosis, hallucinations, increase in blood pressure, decrease in appetite, nausea, vomiting, increase in temperature and heart rate, feeling restless or nervous, sweating, tremors or shaking, seizures and sometimes death, according to the Mayo Clinic and Medline Plus.

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