An alcoholic is a person who is dependent on (addicted to) alcohol. This disease can have serious impacts on all parts of an alcoholic's life, affecting their behavior, their ability to function normally and their relationships with other people.

Denial

One of the main behavioral symptoms of an alcoholic is denying having a problem with alcohol and drinking, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Social Symptoms

Alcoholics may have black outs, which are blank spots in the memory which may involve social connections like conversations. They may also lose interest in formerly important activities, and have troubles with the law, their relationships, work and money, according to the Mayo Clinic. Drinking may trigger violence and aggression, according to Medline Plus.

Drinking Behaviors

According to the Mayo Clinic, behavioral issues linked specifically to drinking include: drinking alone and hiding drinking; the inability to control intake of alcohol; having a ritualistic drinking pattern and becoming irritated if it is interrupted; feeling compelled to drink; irritability right before drinking or when there is no available alcohol; stashing alcohol; gulping and ordering large amounts of alcohol; drinking to regain a feeling of normalcy; and drinking more alcohol because a tolerance has developed.

Withdrawal Symptoms

People who are addicted to alcohol go through withdrawal when they do not or cannot drink. Symptoms include, according to Medline Plus: anxiety, confusion and hallucinating; increase in blood pressure, temperature and heart rate; low appetite with nausea and vomiting; losing touch with reality; feeling restless or nervous; seizures and shaking; and sometimes death.

Physical Symptoms

Outward physical signs of alcoholism may include pain in the abdomen; feeling nauseated and throwing up; not eating or caring about appearance; feeling numb or tingling; or morning shaking, according to Medline Plus.

Source:

Mayo Clinic: Alcoholism Symptoms

Medline Plus: Alcoholism