What are the symptoms of alcohol use disorder?

A person may drink more or for longer than intended, spend much of the day thinking about alcohol, or make repeated attempts to cut down without success. Drinking may continue despite conflict, missed responsibilities, unsafe situations, or worsening health.

Tolerance can mean needing more alcohol to feel its effects. When alcohol wears off, withdrawal may cause shaking, sweating, nausea, anxiety, irritability, poor sleep, or a racing heart. Physical effects can include fatigue, easy bruising, stomach pain, and numbness or tingling from nerve damage.

A GP or addiction specialist can assess drinking patterns, medicines, mental health, liver health, and withdrawal risk without treating the conversation as a moral judgement. Support may include counselling, peer programmes, medicines, and a planned reduction or detoxification pathway.

Do not suddenly stop heavy or frequent drinking alone if withdrawal is possible. Medical supervision may be needed because severe withdrawal can cause seizures, hallucinations, or dangerous confusion. If you are supporting someone, choose a calm time and focus on specific changes you have noticed.

Get emergency help for seizures, hallucinations, severe confusion, collapse, vomiting blood, black stools, yellow skin, or severe abdominal pain. Seek urgent advice for shaking, sweating, agitation, or a racing heart after reducing alcohol. Help is also needed for thoughts of self-harm, unsafe driving, or inability to care for yourself.

Could my drinking be affecting my health or medicines? Is it safe for me to cut down without supervision? What withdrawal symptoms should I watch for? Which counselling, medication, or local support options could fit me? Can we check my liver and nutrition?