The majority of the early signs, however, deal primarily with a person's behavior. Alcoholism Alcoholism can develop immediately or after years of drinking. This disease progressively becomes worse the more the person continues to drink. Without treatment, it can destroy a person's emotional and physical health, and even can lead to death. Symptoms of alcoholism vary with each person.
Some people are able to hide their disease very well, while with others the abuse is more obvious.
Some symptoms of alcoholism include the inability to control drinking, the use of alcohol to escape problems, a change in personality, the development of a high tolerance level to alcohol, memory blackouts, problems at work or home as a result of drinking, and a concern shown by family and friends about drinking. Short-term effects of alcohol abuse can include impaired judgment and coordination, hangovers and altered perceptions and emotions. Long-term effects include loss of appetite, vitamin deficiencies, stomach ailments, skin problems, sexual impotence, liver damage, heart and central nervous system damage and memory loss. Once the disease is established, sudden discontinuation of the substance can cause tremors, excessive sweating, hallucinations or seizures. There is no single cause for alcoholism.