Excessive alcohol use has many negative effects on an alcoholic, including physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms. Probably the most obvious signs of an alcoholic are the alcoholic’s changes on the face that often occur after prolonged alcohol misuse.
In this article, Avenues Recovery, leading alcohol and drug rehab specialists, expounds on the different alcoholic face changes that may indicate that someone is addicted to alcohol. You’ll also learn how to spot an alcoholic face. It’s important to mention that although the symptoms may be an indication that a person is an alcoholic, it is in no way definitive. Refrain from making accusations or confronting anyone before you have confirmed in a gentle way that the person is actually using alcohol.
6 Signs to Spot an Alcoholic Face
What does an alcoholic face look like? The face of an alcoholic has several distinct features. Here are some of the physical signs of an alcohol face.
Puffy Face
The reason alcoholics develop an alcohol-bloated face is that alcohol causes water retention (the inability of the body to rid itself of water), which causes alcoholic face swelling. A puffy face from alcohol looks like an obviously puffy, bloated face.
Red Face
A red face from alcohol is the result of widened blood vessels in the face due to excessive alcohol consumption. After some time, the damage of an alcohol-red face can become permanent, which means that the drinker's face always has a flushed appearance.
Spider Veins
The veins on the face are clearly visible, usually near the nose and cheeks. This is because alcohol widens the blood vessels, sometimes breaking them entirely, making them starkly visible on the face of an alcoholic.
Dark Circles Under the Eyes
This may occur due to unhealthy sleeping patterns or due to dehydration of the skin from alcoholism.
Jaundice or Pale Skin
Excessive alcohol consumption harms the liver, causing a yellowing of the skin known as jaundice. This can also affect the eyes, leaving them with a yellowish coloring. In the short term, alcoholics may have bloodshot eyes due to irritation of the blood vessels in the eyes post-drinking.
Wrinkles
Younger people may look older than they are due to wrinkles, sagging skin, and aging lines that change the appearance of the face.
Is an Alcoholic Face Enough to Prove Alcoholism?
Although observing the signs of an alcoholic face may seem to be sufficient proof that the person is an alcoholic, this is not necessarily the case. You can look out for other signs of changes in behavior, overall appearance, and mental capacity to determine whether or not a loved one may be struggling with alcoholism. Here are some other signs of alcoholism to look out for, besides the drinker's face.
- 1. Behavioral Changes - Mood swings, neglect of physical appearance, loss of interest.
- 2. Psychological changes - Stress, anxiety and depression
- 3. Physical changes - Weight gain or loss, withdrawal symptoms
Remember that even if you identify with many of these signs, it is recommended that you reach out to a professional mental health counselor to help you determine whether or not your loved one is an alcoholic and what you can do about it.
How to Help an Alcoholic
As the loved one of a person you suspect may be an alcoholic, you may be wondering how you can best support an alcoholic. Many people feel inclined to protect the addict, helping them lie, covering up for their shortcomings, and picking up the pieces of their disorganized lives. This would include giving excuses for why the alcoholic did not show up to a family event or a co-worker filling in for missed work.
While this may seem noble, these are all harmful enabling behaviors. They allow the addict to continue indulging in their addiction, instead of holding them accountable, and forcing them to take responsibility for their excessive drinking. In other words, helping an alcoholic would not include allowing them to deny their drinking issues to themselves and others.
Rather, the loved ones of an alcoholic would be wise to educate themselves on alcoholism. Many resources offer vital knowledge on what motivates alcoholism, how an addict has lost control over their ability to control his alcohol drinking, and how to best support an alcoholic as a loved one.
It is also worthwhile reaching out to a mental health professional, addiction specialist, or reputable rehab facility for guidance and information so that you can immediately point the addict in the right direction if they reach out to you for assistance.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Now that you know how to spot an alcoholic face, know that support is just a step away! At Avenues Recovery, we specialize in helping addicts undergo medical alcohol detox and residential treatment, finding their way to sobriety. The goal is to support every patient with one-on-one and group therapies so they can remain sober for the long term. Our staff are experts in the field of addiction, and they will do anything to help you recover. We are committed to delivering the highest level of care and support to every individual. Our caring and dedicated staff use personalized treatment plans and a wide range of therapies to ensure optimal success. If you are serious about addiction recovery, reach out to Avenues Recovery today to start your journey! We will support you every step of the way towards the sober future you deserve.