12 Warning Signs of an Alcohol Problem Explained With Pictures

The Institute of Alcohol Studies reports that 10% of alcohol leaves the body by sweating, breathing, and urinating. In other words, after a night of heavy drinking, a person will suffer from bad breath, smelly urine, and body odor. Typically, this is not part of the appearance of a young and healthy person. Markedly, most heavy drinkers experience puffy and red faces. Drinking alcohol on a regular basis leads to widened blood vessels in the face.

• But at 38 years old, I couldn’t escape the consequences of drinking.
• You have to be old enough to drink it legally, and once you are, it can age you faster than normal.
• Treatments can include medication and counseling, and it may be possible for you to moderate your drinking rather than quit altogether.
• We started skipping the cheese, and one glass would morph into two, and sometimes into a bottle.
• But too much can lead to an abnormal heartbeat and high blood pressure.

“Currently, the recommendation is that after age 65, men and women should have no more than seven alcoholic drinks per week,” he says. Other than being dehydrating, sugar plays another role in aging skin. Sugar overload from high-sugar foods and drinks—like does drinking make you look old desserts, energy drinks, or soda—may kick-start a process called glycation. Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, and having plenty of water or soft drinks between alcoholic drinks can help avoid dehydration – which is also the main cause of a hangover.

Alcohol and Body Odor

If you feel that alcohol is endangering you or someone else, call 911 or obtain similar help right away. Adults of all ages who drink alcohol and drive are at higher risk of traffic accidents than those who do not drink. Drinking slows reaction times and coordination, and interferes with eye movement and information processing. People who drink even a moderate amount are at higher risk for traffic accidents, possibly resulting in injury or death to themselves and others. (Note that even without alcohol, the risk of a car accident goes up starting at age 55.) Also, older drivers tend to be more seriously hurt in crashes than younger drivers.

This leads to swelling, flushing, and broken capillaries that make you look older. Alcohol can change the appearance of your mouth and the skin on your face. Sober living brightens the whites of your https://ecosoberhouse.com/ eyes, creating a more luminous gaze. When the windows to your soul look vibrant, you appear more alert, refreshed and happy. Drinking makes your face look puffy, tired and older than your actual age.

How Alcohol Changes the Aging Process

When you consume alcohol, the peripheral blood vessels expand and blood flow to the surface of your eyes increases. Dehydration and visible blood vessels make your eyes red and dull. Without question, there are countless advantages to sobriety. Recovery from addiction can restore strained relationships, positively change your life outlook and improve your health. One rarely discussed, but noticeable, benefit of recovery is how it can dramatically improve your appearance. A RAND corporation study found a 41% increase of heavy drinking (four or more drinks on one occasion) among women during the pandemic.

Researchers have found that excessive alcohol consumption can affect the skin. The noticeable differences in skin complexions are often early signs of alcohol abuse. Drinking heavily and often can have a significant impact on your overall health. It can also age you prematurely, making you look, feel, and act older than you actually are.

Drink Less, Look and Feel Better

She’s passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices. The first thing you can do to reverse alcohol-aging is stop drinking. You can also begin detoxing to get any alcohol or other harmful substance out of your system. Alcohol is a factor in about 30% of suicides and fatal motor vehicle crashes, 40% of fatal burn injuries, 50% of fatal drownings and homicides, and 65% of fatal falls. People should not drink alcohol if they plan to drive, use machinery, or perform other activities that require attention, skill, or coordination.