As their disease progresses, alcoholics need to drink more and more often, just to feel normal. Increasingly, they realize that once they start to drink, they can t stop. Yet they desperately want to keep from getting drunk, both to avoid embarrassment and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as trembling, irritability, nausea, or insomnia. No strategy works for long, however. Inwardly disgusted with themselves, alcoholics vacillate between anger and depression.
Personal relationships deteriorate.
Job performance suffers. In addition, physical problems develop. Alcoholics suffer from disturbing memory lapses called blackouts. Feeling edgy and anxious, some may experiment with and become addicted to tranquilizers. Alcoholics eat poorly, because their irritated liver and inflamed digestive system give them heartburn, nausea, and gas.