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Symptoms of alcohol abuse:
- repeated use of alcohol
- repeated use of alcohol leading to failure to fulfill obligations at work, home or school
- repeated use of alcohol leading to alcohol-related legal consequences (DUI's, arrests)
- repeated use of alcohol despite many serious problems and difficulties in social, interpersonal, academic, family functioning
- symptoms of alcohol abuse, plus:
- tendency to use increasing amount of alcohol to achieve the same desired effect (tolerance)
- presence of withdrawal symptoms (see below)
- persistent desire and attempts to cut down or stop using alcohol
Symptoms of alcohol intoxication:
- slurring of speech
- incoordination
- gait ataxia (gait imbalance)
- memory impairment
- stupor
- blackouts
- shakes/tremors
- nausea/vomiting
- anxiety
- flushing of face
- increased blood pressure and heart rate
- seizures
- auditory or tactile hallucinations
- delirium
- nightmares
- major depression
- bipolar disorder
- schizophrenia
- panic disorder
- social phobia
- attention deficit disorder
- abuse of other substances (examples: marijuana, cocaine, nicotine)
- motor vehicle accidents
- suicides/homicides
- assaults/rapes
- drownings
- child/domestic abuse
- dementia
- poor nutrition
- brain atrophy (shrinkage of brain)
- ataxia (poor balance)
- nystagmus
- memory loss
- confusion
- confabulation
- increased blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- atrial fibrillation
- cardiomyopathy
- myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- stroke
- aspiration pneumonia
- renal (kidney) failure
- pancreatitis
- anemia (due to iron deficiency)
- leukopenia (low white blood cells)
- thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
- gastritis
- peptic ulcers
- reflux disease
- liver cirrhosis
- alcoholic hepatitis
- fatty liver
- testicular atrophy (males)
- menstrual irregularities (females)
- birth defects (pregnant women)
- decreased fertility (both sexes)
- increased risk of certain cancers
- acute detoxification
- alcohol rehabilitation programs
- disulfiram (Antabuse)
- naltrexone (ReVia)
- individual psychotherapy
- marital counseling
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) meetings
- Al-Anon meetings (for family members)