Symptoms of Alcoholism

A large proportion of deaths due to accidents, murders and suicides are alcohol related. Alcohol abusers and dependents experience a wide range of social and interpersonal problems and are at risk for many serious health problems.

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Women drink less alcohol than do men in most cultures and are less likely to have alcohol-related disorders than are men. Symptoms of alcoholisms can be mild or so severe as to be life threatening.

People who are suffering from alcoholism slur their words, walk with unsteady gates, have trouble paying attention or remembering things and are slow and awkward in their physical reactions. They may act inappropriately, becoming aggressive, saying rude things or taking off their clothes in public. Their moods may swings from exuberance to despair. With extreme intoxication they may fall into stupors or comas. Often, they do not recognize they are intoxicated or may flatly deny it, even though it is obvious.

Other behavioral effects of alcoholisms are impaired judgment and reaction time, feelings of relaxation, release of inhibitions, impaired motor functions, sensory and motor impairment, staggering and inappropriate sexual and aggressive behavior.