Physical Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder

Overview

The physical signs of alcohol use disorder can be vague in the early stages of the disease. Some early symptoms include:

• Blackouts, which cause you to not remember what happened when you were drinking. Blackouts aren't the same as passing out. Passing out means that you lose consciousness. You don't pass out when you have an alcohol blackout. But you do lose your memories of the event.
• Injuries and illnesses you can't explain. You might have new physical problems, such as stomach cramps. Or another health problem may get worse.

As alcohol use disorder gets worse, physical symptoms of long-term heavy drinking can develop. You may:

• Not feel hungry, not eat well, and lose weight.
• Notice tiny blood vessels on your skin that look like spider webs (spider angiomas).
• See swelling or redness of the palms of your hands.
• Have redness on your face, especially your nose and cheeks.
• Keep getting infections and skin sores (abscesses).
• Have less interest in sex. You might also notice shrinkage of the testicles and impotence.
• Have a sore or upset stomach (gastritis).
• Feel numbness and tingling in your feet or hands.
• Be unsteady when on your feet.
• Have liver problems, such as cirrhosis.