How Alcohol Abuse Changes Physical Appearance Over 20-Year Span, With Help From Online Tool

These astronomical figures have led many health and addiction specialists toward creating programs that address mental health concerns and alcoholism concurrently. Being aware of the physical signs of alcoholism and the symptoms of mental health disorders may help families take preventative measures and intervene sooner. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addressing alcoholism early on leads to better outcomes and can minimize the coinciding health effects. They also state alcohol treatments work better when tailored to individual needs. AspenRidge offers trained professionals who understand the current dimensional diagnostic standards and address physical signs of alcoholism and underlying mental health concerns. AspenRidge also tailors treatment to individual needs as much as possible.

  • Dehydration due to alcohol consumption doesn’t just wreak havoc on your skin; it can also affect your hair.5 Yes, alcohol and hair loss are related.
  • Heavy drinkers who suddenly stop or reduce their alcohol intake will experience mild withdrawal symptoms within 6 hours after their last drink.
  • If the individual is unable to consume their regular frequency and quantity of alcohol, they may begin to exhibit alcohol withdrawal symptoms including tremors, nausea and excessive perspiration.
  • Alcohol can damage the lining of the stomach, wearing it away over time and causing irritation, bleeding and ulcers.
  • Some skin conditions that can be irritated by alcohol use include psoriasis, rosacea and discoid eczema.

90% of patients with rosacea who cut back on alcohol say it helps to reduce flare-ups. How alcohol addiction physically affects different parts of your body. Between 3 and 43 percent of alcoholics suffer from thrombocytopenia, a low level of platelets in the blood.

Broken Capillaries on the Face (especially the nose)

Low platelet
counts affect the body’s ability to make clots to stop bleeding. People who are addicted to alcohol may also show a deteriorating physical appearance from poor nutrition and personal neglect. Dr. Kevin Wandler of Advanced Recovery Systems describes how tolerance and withdrawal symptoms are indicators of alcohol
dependence. ” self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

In another study, almost 41% of people with bipolar disorder drink alcohol to deal with mental health symptoms. A persistently red and flushed appearance on the face is a typical indicator of alcohol consumption. This happens as a result of alcohol expanding the blood vessels, which increases the flow of blood to the skin’s surface. This can cause a reddish complexion over time, particularly on the cheeks and nose. Worldwide, millions of people struggle with alcoholism, which is a serious issue. Alcoholic face is one of the way by which alcoholism can be implicated.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism

Alcohol is known to cause the body and skin to become dehydrated. Alcohol abuse can cause face swelling over time, especially around the cheeks and eyes. The skin’s elasticity is effected by inadequate hydration, making the face appear bloated and puffy. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to short-term side effects such as memory problems or blacking out.

physical appearance of an alcoholic

Drinking alcohol can affect appearance in a variety of ways that are typically undesirable. Excessive drinking can contribute to inflammation, unpleasant body odor, and/or a decrease in your overall hygiene. It can also change the appearance of your hair, eyes, and stomach.

Alcoholic liver

Physically, the condition is characterized by wrinkles, dry and flaky skin, and a dull complexion. These physical changes of dry, wrinkled skin can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and embarrassment. In addition, those with alcoholic faces may have difficulty forming relationships or maintaining jobs due to the visible signs of their condition. They may lose feelings of hunger or no longer have a desire for food, as their focus shifts to alcohol. Alternatively, they may crave high-fat foods as alcohol produces the hunger-increasing hormone, ghrelin.

  • You can also click here to find an addiction treatment center near me.
  • Drinking too much alcohol may cause immediate physical effects such as hangovers and intoxication.
  • AspenRidge offers trained professionals who understand the current dimensional diagnostic standards and address physical signs of alcoholism and underlying mental health concerns.
  • This disorder also involves having to drink more to get the same effect or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking.

But, every person is different, and how long it may take to see results, if you’re able to see results at all, can vary. Talk to a doctor today to get started, and reach out to alcohol addiction treatment centers today to get started on your path to sobriety. It dehydrates the body and deprives the skin of vital physical characteristics of alcoholics vitamins and nutrients. Skin defects include broken capillaries, a bloated face, and a reddened complexion, among many others. However, long-term heavy drinking can have detrimental effects on your skin. According to the National Rosacea Society, alcohol is among some of the most common rosacea triggers.

If lifestyle changes are not enough, various treatments are available for the facial signs of alcohol abuse. You can apply topical medications such as corticosteroids and retinoids to your skin to reduce redness and puffiness. You can also use laser treatments and chemical peels to improve the skin’s condition. The first step in correcting the signs of an alcoholic face is to stop drinking alcohol. This can be difficult, so it is essential to seek professional help.

Heavy drinking over time can cause weight gain, which might result in the appearance of a double chin. Liver disease caused by heavy drinking can cause jaundice and hyperpigmentation, which will give the skin a darker appearance. The liver processes most of the alcohol we drink but is unable to deal with all of it. For heavy drinkers and those with an alcohol use disorder, the remaining alcohol leaves the body via breath, sweat, and urine.

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