Once stabilized, the goal is to transition from detox, to treatment, to maintenance (practicing sober living by changing your life), to transcendence—the final step in the path to recovery. Additionally, research has shown that alcohol may alter the composition of helpful microorganisms in your gut. These organisms play a crucial role in your gut and immune system function. Alcohol suppresses rapid eye movement, or REM sleep, which is an essential restorative stage of sleep your body requires. And since alcohol is a diuretic, you’ll probably visit the bathroom more frequently at night, which bruising and alcoholism can significantly hinder sleep. If you’ve ever had to nurse a hangover, nausea and vomiting are commonly part and parcel of the ordeal.
Multiple body systems
Having a mild intolerance to alcohol or something else in alcoholic beverages might not require a trip to a doctor. Simply avoid alcohol, limit how much you drink or avoid certain types of alcoholic beverages. Once you quit drinking, your body can begin to recover from some of the damage or, at the very least, prevent it from getting worse. This CME/CE credit opportunity is jointly provided by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Sober living house NIAAA.
What to know about alcoholic liver disease?
Bruises that take a long time to heal or getting bruised for no apparent cause could be signs of a bleeding disorder. If your bruise doesn’t improve within two weeks, or if you start to notice frequent, unexplained bruises—whether you’re drunk or sober—call your doctor. So when you drink alcohol and injure yourself, you can be left with a bigger, more noticeable bruise than you might see while sober. The guidelines classify moderate drinking up to one drink a day for females, and up to two drinks for males, and only over the age of 21 years. While the early stages may have no symptoms, later stages can cause symptoms such as fatigue, swelling in the hands and legs, jaundice, loss of appetite, and weakness. While treating ALD it is important not only to abstain from alcohol but also become conscious of other factors that could affect the liver.
Preventing alcoholic neuropathy
John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The most important thing you can do to treat alcohol-related neuropathy is to stop consuming alcohol. Research suggests that up to 66% of people with AUD have some type of alcohol-related neuropathy. The endocrine system consists of hormone-producing glands in the body. These hormones influence various functions, including growth, metabolism, and breathing.
It can affect people from all walks of life, regardless of their age, gender, or background. Whether someone is young or old, male or female, rich or poor, they can be susceptible to the grip of alcohol addiction. When it comes to understanding alcoholism, it is important to recognize that it is not simply a matter of willpower or moral failing. It is a disease that affects the brain and behavior, and it requires professional help and support to overcome it. The impact of alcoholism is far-reaching, affecting not only the individual but also their loved ones and society as a whole.
Treatment options may include therapy, support groups, medication, and lifestyle changes. It is a journey that requires commitment, perseverance, and a strong support system. With the right help and support, individuals struggling with alcoholism can regain control of their lives and achieve long-term sobriety. Alcohol addiction is rooted in complex biological and psychological factors. Alcohol stimulates the release of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, in the brain, creating pleasurable sensations.
Impact on your safety
- Alcoholic liver disease is caused by excessive consumption of alcohol.
- During end-stage alcoholism, a person may struggle with involuntary rapid eye movement (nystagmus) or weakness and paralysis of the eye muscles due to thiamin (vitamin B1) deficiency.
- A person may also develop a tolerance for alcohol, meaning that they need larger and larger amounts to obtain the desired effects.
- Liver cirrhosis is linked to bleeding complications and can even lead to the formation of a large type of bruise called a hematoma.
- An alcohol use disorder is a legitimate medical condition that causes lasting changes in the brain.
When that happens, the person is seemingly functional and appears normal to other people. According to a 2021 study, the cerebellum is one of the most vulnerable areas that alcohol can directly affect, leading to difficulty in maintaining balance. This increased blood flow means more blood might escape the vessel if it ruptures. Vasodilation is the widening of the blood vessels caused by the relaxation of the muscles in these blood vessels.
- Unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other alcohol-related problems.
- Alcoholic cirrhosis is a progression of ALD in which scarring in the liver makes it difficult for that organ to function properly.
- The early signs of alcoholic liver disease are vague and affect a range of systems in the body.
- In compensated cirrhosis, the liver remains functioning, and many people have no symptoms.
- Any kind of disease or condition that harms the liver can lead to cirrhosis over time.
- According to a 2021 study, the cerebellum is one of the most vulnerable areas that alcohol can directly affect, leading to difficulty in maintaining balance.
When to see a doctor
Bruising easily usually isn’t a serious problem, but Jahn recommends calling your health care provider if any of these descriptions apply to your bruises. Rarely, severe pain after drinking alcohol is a sign of a more serious disorder, such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Even if your loved one seeks help, you may still need help and support to overcome the effects.