Alcohol abuse and alcoholism

Overview

When alcohol consumption becomes addictive, we speak of alcoholism. It has physical, social and mental consequences, ranging from a state of intoxication to chronic illnesses affecting various organs.

Symptoms

Main symptoms

These symptoms mainly occur after once-off excessive consumption.

• Intoxication
• Slowed reactions and reduced concentration
• Double vision (squint-eyed), “tunnel vision”
• Lack of coordination
• Increased aggression
• Slurred speech
• Danger of falling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of consciousness, including coma (risk of respiratory paralysis)

Other symptoms

These symptoms tend to occur after long-standing and regular consumption.

• Stomach infection (gastritis)
• Pancreatitis
• Shaky fingers (tremors), sometimes also hands
• Fatty liver, liver inflammation (hepatitis) and liver cirrhosis
• Cardiac arrhythmias, high blood pressure
• Immune deficiency, susceptibility to infectious diseases
• Loss of libido, impotence
• Personality changes, depression, anxiety, dementia, etc.
• Tingling, numbness (particularly in the feet)
• Oesophageal, laryngeal, pharyngeal cancer
• Damage to the unborn child
• Withdrawal symptoms, e.g. hallucinations

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Stress, conflict and other problems are suppressed with the help of alcohol
• Peer pressure
• Loneliness, lack of social support

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Blood tests (e.g. inflammatory markers and liver function)
• Ultrasound (e.g. of liver)

Possible therapies

• Medicine-supported alcohol withdrawal
• Therapy focusing on mental and social aspects

When to see a doctor?

How do you recognise alcoholism in your environment, or in yourself?

• Strong desire for alcoholic drinks
• The amounts of alcohol that can be tolerated increase (development of alcohol tolerance)
• Efforts to reduce alcohol consumption are repeatedly unsuccessful
• The ability to control the amounts and times of alcohol consumption decreases
• A lot of effort goes into hiding the problem
• Leisure activities and social contact progressively decline

Further information

Blaues Kreuz (Blue Cross)
www.blaueskreuz.ch

Synonyms

Alcohol abuse, alcoholism