How to Spot an Alcoholic Face

We’re living in a world where drinking alcohol socially and drinking it in excess is seen as the norm. More people are increasingly seeing the negative impact of excessive alcohol consumption but are finding it difficult to get out of this cycle. Social drinking can quickly turn into a dependence on the substance which in turn, can develop into a severe alcohol addiction.

An addiction to alcohol isn’t a personal choice, it’s out of your control, despite this known fact, many people still wrongly believe that it is a choice. Alcoholism is defined as a physical and psychological behavioural illness for which you need professional rehabilitation support to overcome; this is where our team can help.

Do All Alcoholics Have A Certain Look?

There are both physical and psychological signs of an addiction to alcohol that are fairly common in those who are suffering from alcoholism. Excessive substance abuse will cause chemical reactions in the brain which are widely known as cravings and are extremely difficult to ignore. If you’re living with an alcohol addiction, you’ll also likely experience increased anxiety, depression, mood swings, paranoia, loneliness, stress, and low self-esteem, in addition to the more obvious physical signs of alcoholism.

Someone who is suffering from an alcohol addiction may appear to have visual skin problems such as;

• Small red bumps on the surface of their skin.
• Pus-filled spots on their face.
• Yellow skin tone (linked to jaundice) as a result of liver problems.
• Redness, and dilated blood vessels.
• ‘Spider veins’

Redness in the face usually concentrates around the nose and cheeks as blood vessels enlarge, these can over-dilate causing ‘spider veins’ on the skin. Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause water retention in your face which makes it look bloated and puffy, in addition to dehydrating your body and skin resulting in dry, wrinkled skin that can look dull and grey.

Other physical signs of someone suffering from an alcohol addiction include;

• Bloodshot eyes as alcohol irritates the blood vessels on the surface of your eyes.
• Dry or thinning hair as alcohol also dehydrates your hair.
• A bad smell as alcohol leaves the body through your breath, urine, and sweat.

They may also experience repeated infections or skin sores such as abscesses as alcohol impairs the immune system increasing the risk of infection.

Another common sign of alcoholism is an upset stomach as alcohol can cause erosive gastritis which wears the stomach lining away; this can lead to ulcers or cause the stomach to bleed. They may suffer from liver problems such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, or fatty liver which can be caused by a fat build-up in their liver cells. When the liver becomes inflamed as a result of this, hepatitis can develop which can lead to liver failure or cirrhosis causing the liver to lose its ability to function properly.

Someone who is addicted to alcohol may feel tingling or numbness in their hands or feet, they may be unsteady on their feet as their coordination and balance will likely be deteriorated by excessive alcohol which dramatically increases the risk of falls and accidents. They may also suffer from reduced platelet counts or clotting which can make them much more susceptible to bruising and in severe cases, stroke. They’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms if they’re not consuming alcohol which can include nausea, headaches, vomiting, tremors, sweating, dizziness, and even seizures.

The impact that alcoholism has on you can mean that you don’t prioritise your appearance or your personal hygiene. Poor skin and tired eyes are very common due to lack of sleep through heavy alcohol consumption. Many people see an impact on their weight, whether it’s significant weight loss or weight gain as an associated lack of appetite can occur, as can cravings for food which are usually high in fat.

How To Treat Your Skin After Alcoholism?

Suppose you’re thinking of going to an alcohol rehab centre to overcome your alcohol addiction physically and psychologically.

In that case, you may also want to know how you can improve your skin which has likely been damaged through excessive alcohol. One of the most important things you can do to rejuvenate your skin is to keep drinking water, staying hydrated is essential. Developing an effective skincare routine can also make a huge difference in repairing your skin. This should include applying a rich moisturiser that contains antioxidants and other ingredients such as vitamin B5 and humectants that will help to soothe and hydrate your face. This should help to reduce inflammation and hydrate your skin.

Sleeping with two pillows rather than one can actually help to minimise puffiness in your face and eyes as dark circles can be caused by fluids that gather under your eyes when your head is lying flat. Increased sleep and deep sleep will also help to reduce puffiness in your face and make you feel more energised in general. Once you’ve stopped drinking, you should over time see an improvement in your skin. You should have brighter skin, fewer wrinkles, smaller pores, less redness, less acne, more hydrated skin, and more of an even skin tone.

How To Get Treatment For Alcoholism?

If you’re suffering from an alcohol addiction it can seem as though you’re all on your own. We’re here to assure you that you’re not alone, thousands of other people are going through a similar situation to you and we’re to help, just as we’ve helped countless others. By joining a professional alcohol rehabilitation programme, we can support you every step of the way through a 12-step programme, clinical detoxification, and into your aftercare plan once you complete your treatment programme.

Contact our friendly team at Nova Recovery to discuss your treatment options. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about our treatment process and if you’re happy to proceed, we can welcome you into our dedicated facility. Call us today on 01475 303998 or email info@novarecovery.com.

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John Gillen - Author - Last updated: December 19, 2023

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.

Dr Stacey Vettraino (General Practitioner) - Clinical Reviewer - Last reviewed: December 15, 2023

Dr Stacey Vettraino has been a GP for over 15 years and has been involved in GP management for 7 of these. Over the last few years, Dr Vettraino has worked towards a portfolio career, working as a GP in various parts of Scotland and within the private sector – including Bupa as a private GP, Health Assessments, and Menopause Clinics. She has had a longstanding interest in psychiatry and has previously held a post in Old Age Psychiatry post-GP training focusing on dementia. Her interest in addictions has steadily grown from work as a GP and Dr Vettraino is now excited and privileged to be part of addiction treatment.