Changes in appearance.
Alcohol gradually leaves traces on the body and over time, a person may experience swelling the face, the skin becomes grayish or red, especially on the cheeks and nose. The eyes also change — they lose their clarity and may appear yellowish or constantly tired. A person might begin to look unkempt, as self-care becomes less of a priority and alcohol takes center stage in their life. Posture may worsen, there can be significant weight loss or gain, and speech may become slurred. All these factors contribute to the overall decline in physical appearance. This is more than just a cosmetic defect — it is a reflection of the internal problems of an organism that suffers from constant intoxication.
Constant desire to drink.
A person begins to drink in any situation: after work, during lunch, on holidays, or even on regular days. At first, alcohol seems like a way to relax after a hard day or a method to lift one’s mood. For example, it might start as just a glass of wine after work, but over time, this habit can become more frequent, and one glass turns into a whole bottle. When the person tries to give up alcohol, they may experience irritability or a sense of emptiness. Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to control when and how much they drink, and it’s no longer the person controlling the situation, but the alcohol. Therefore, if a person cannot go even a day without drinking, this is one of the first signs that alcoholism is soon to develop.
Memory impairment.
At first, a person may forget small details, such as where they left their keys or what they said or did. However, time, this can develop into more serious problems when, after drinking alcohol, it is difficult to remember the events of the previous evening or even the whole day. This happens because alcohol affects areas of the brain responsible for memory, particularly the hippocampus. In more severe cases, memory problems become noticeable even when sober: concentration becomes difficult, and it’s hard to recall recent conversations, names, or important agreements. For example, a person may repeatedly ask the same question or confuse events. Such memory impairment not only complicates daily life but also worsens relationships with loved ones and reduces professional effectiveness.
Social isolation.
One of the key signs of developing alcohol dependence is the gradual withdrawal of a person from social life. Communication with friends, family, or colleagues loses its value, and the person increasingly chooses solitude, trying to find opportunities to drink alcohol without witnesses. This may appear as fatigue or a reluctance to leave the house, but the underlying cause is deeper: alcohol begins to push everything else out of their sphere of interest. In such cases, the person avoids socializing more frequently, invents excuses not to attend meetings, and distances themselves from important events. As a result, alcohol begins to occupy a central place in their life.
Appearance of withdrawal symptoms (hangover).
Hangovers are more than just an inconvenience after celebrations; they are a warning sign that the body is no longer able to handle alcohol, and dependency begins to form. While alcohol may not have caused serious issues in the past, over time, the consequences of its consumption become more pronounced and harder to endure. A person may wake up with a severe headache, nausea, and a heart rate that is faster than usual. In addition to this, anxiety, irritability, a complete loss of appetite, and sleep disturbances occur — the night becomes restless, or sleep may be completely absent. In more severe cases, the effects become even more serious: hallucinations, coordination problems, and clouded consciousness can emerge. The most dangerous aspect is the deceptive solution of easing the condition with another dose of alcohol. This only exacerbates the problem, trapping the person in a vicious cycle. With each passing time, the hangover becomes more severe, transforming from a temporary discomfort into a daily reality. The longer the problem is ignored, the deeper it becomes embedded in life.
If you notice the above signs of alcohol dependence in someone close to you, do not hesitate. Support the person, help them not to lose themselves and take the first steps towards change. Suggest that the person make an appointment with a narcologist or psychotherapist who can find an effective treatment and prescribe the necessary medications, such as Flunil, Prozac. In such cases, the support of family and friends is especially important: do not criticize, do not blame, but be there for them. Only consistent implementation of the specialist’s recommendations and a sincere desire to change open the way to recovery, restoration of health and return to a full life.