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Signs and Symptoms

Alcoholism is often accompanied by the following signs and symptoms. Symptoms vary with the amount of alcohol taken and how long it has been abused.

Craving for alcohol

Inability to control drinking habits

Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking

Tolerance (the need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects)

Psychological, social, occupational dysfunction

Malnutrition, anorexia

Cardiovascular symptoms (leading cause of death)

Increased levels of cancer (second leading cause of death)

Repeated infections—for example, tuberculosis, urinary tract infections

Lung conditions—complicated by smoking; for example, respiratory failure, pneumonia

Central nervous system disorders—unsteady gait or stance; cognitive impairment; psychiatric manifestations (for example, mood, anxiety, psychotic disorders); blackouts; coma; sleep disruptions

Diarrhea, vomiting

Gastrointestinal bleeding

Men—increased sexual drive with decreased ability to maintain an erection

Women—miscarriage, stopping of menstrual periods

Inflammation of the pancreas

Hepatitis (a disease of the liver)

Poor wound healing

Buildup of fluid in the body

Swollen, painful muscles, paralysis, lack of reflexes

Increased bone fractures

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Hypothermia (reduction of body temperature)

Moderate drinking

Alcoholism is caused by chronic over-consumption of alcohol.

Moderate drinking is probably best defined as the level of drinking that poses a low risk of alcohol-related problems, both for the drinker and for others. It is difficult to give a quantitative definition of moderate drinking because alcohol can have different effects on different individuals.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health of Ontario and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse defines moderation, or 'low risk drinking guidelines' as follows: 'Healthy adults who choose to drink should limit alcohol consumption to 2 or fewer standard drinks per day, with consumption not exceeding 14 standard drinks a week for men and 9 standard drinks per week for women.

These guidelines are endorsed by the Canadian Medical Association.

Who's Most At Risk?

People with the following conditions or characteristics are at a higher-than-average risk for developing alcoholism.

Genetically predisposed

Preexisting psychiatric disorder

Began consuming alcohol at an early age

Stress

What to Expect at Your Health Provider's Office

If you or someone you care for is experiencing symptoms associated with alcoholism, you should see your health care provider. He or she can help make a diagnosis and guide you in determining which treatment or combination of therapies including alternative therapies will work best.

Your provider will take a history and do a physical exam to look for specific organ damage or trauma and to evaluate if your muscles are tender or weak. Laboratory tests will reveal any indicators of alcoholism, such as high blood alcohol. Imaging techniques may be used to diagnose alcohol-related disorders.

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