Alcoholics long term physical side effects after they quit?

I am in AA which keeps me sober, I have met lots of people with physical problems and I am wondering what are the problems arising from long term alcohol or drug abuse. A lot of my friends and myself go to doctors but when we tell a doctor we have been addicts, they don't seem to hear anything beyond that. I understand, we did this to ourselves but I am wondering if there is any research on these problems. Reading on my own, I have found links to diabetes and loss of appetite, I would like to help myself and others who are willing to quit but it is difficult to find medical help because we inflicted these problems on ourselves. I(we) do not expect sympathy but I would like to find medical treatment that also doesn't involve painkillers, since I don't want to become addicted to those. Anyone that would just like to tell me their experiences please do. Hepititus is also found among addicts, another side effect which affects health. I would like to help folks by sharing this info.

Hello Sue Chef.

Congratulations on sticking with the AA program. You are doing a great job and I hope you stick with it. You have made another positive step forward by putting yourself out on Answers.

I am not an alcoholic, but several of my friends are and I have done everything possible to support them, so, I hope that I have some advice/insight that benefits you.

First and foremost, ask your fellow AA members, as well as AA management, about any doctors they would specifically recommend who are sensitive to the needs of recovering alcoholics/addicts.

You are right: recovering alcoholics face some specific health concerns best dealt with by a doctor who understands.

Diabetes, liver disease, digestive problems, cardiac, hepatitis, ocular disease, and immune system problems are all side effects of alcoholism.

This website below is a special AA website for doctors who are also recovering alcoholics:
http://www.idaa.org/
Contact them. They will be able to provide you with doctors sensitive to your needs.

The original AA founder's home:
http://www.drbobshome.org/index.html
Send them an email explaining your situation. They will find a way to provide information to you.

I would start off with these two sites and build from there. With time spent researching your concerns, you will discover a lot more information.

Keep on doing what you are doing: asking questions, being strong, reminding yourself what is really important, and your willingness to want to help others is very inspiring.

I think you will be very successful with continuing to control your alcoholism and your desire to help others is the most powerful medicine of all for you.

God's love and peace be with you.