Late-stage alcoholism requires a more intensive and comprehensive treatment approach than middle-stage alcoholism. Treatment may include medical detoxification and inpatient rehabilitation, where the individual can receive 24/7 support and care. With so many effects on the body, the usual first step in treating alcoholism is detox—or getting alcohol out of your system. Depending on the severity of the alcohol use disorder, this stage can be mildly annoying or severe. Early withdrawal symptoms include headaches, anxiety, nausea, irritability and shaking.
Middle Stage
End stage alcoholism is marked by significant physical and mental decline. Vital organs, including the liver, suffer damage, leading to liver diseases and liver failure. Brain damage and immune system compromise are common, and the risk of death from alcohol-related causes increases.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Even experiencing some problems may not be enough to really see your problems and admit that they exist. Individuals in early stage addiction do not usually exhibit overt signs or experience serious five stages of drinking negative repercussions related to their drinking. Many people stay in this stage their whole lives and never progress, but most of those who eventually develop an alcohol use disorder begin here.
Signs and Symptoms of Early-Stage Alcoholism
- The mental challenge of this stage is not to let anything make you feel defeated.
- Overall, seeking help for alcohol dependency, at a San Diego drug rehab center, is a critical step towards recovery.
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Later, it can cause fatigue, bleeding and bruising, itchy skin, yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes and fluid accumulation in the abdomen known as ascites. Fluid buildup in end-stage liver disease is a particularly ominous sign. Fifty percent of patients with ascites typically die within two years if they don’t have a liver transplant. When alcohol is not present, individuals may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as restlessness, tremors, headache, nausea, vomiting and insomnia. At this stage, the alcoholic may appear to be functioning normally and is unlikely to have performance problems at work, school or in other settings.
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- During this stage, the addicted person’s body is building up a tolerance to alcohol, so they may be able to drink larger quantities without losing control.
- They pick fights with family and friends and choose to drink despite the negative consequences.
- With the support of mental health services, support groups, and comprehensive treatment programs, individuals can overcome alcohol addiction and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
- In other cases, long-term alcohol exposure can increase a person’s risk of developing a psychiatric illness.
- Once it takes hold, it can be hard to shake loose—without the right help.
Friends and family members might notice changes in the individual’s behavior, such as increased irritability, secrecy about drinking habits, or a greater emphasis on finding opportunities to drink. However, individuals who have been drinking heavily for long periods of time may still experience some symptoms of withdrawal and may even have hallucinations or delirium tremens (DTs) and seizures. It’s important to remember that they are only temporary and will usually subside within a few days. For individuals with severe alcohol dependence, however, withdrawal symptoms can be more severe and may require medical attention. During the middle stage of alcohol addiction, negative consequences start to pile up. The user loses his or her job due to too many absences and alcohol-induced fights end relationships.
- Alcohol addiction can begin before an individual starts drinking—due to genetic predispositions or attitudes and perceptions consistent with those who suffer from alcohol dependence.
- Some chronic alcoholics develop a condition called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which results from a thiamine (vitamin B-1) deficiency.
- The most severe form of alcohol withdrawal is delirium tremens (DTs), characterized by altered mental status and severe autonomic hyperactivity that may lead to cardiovascular collapse.
- Drinking a lot on a single occasion slows your body’s ability to ward off infections–even up to 24 hours after getting drunk.
Stage 2: Increased Tolerance to Alcohol
The primary symptom of stage one is the development of alcohol tolerance. This stage of alcoholism is difficult to notice, even for the person misusing alcohol. Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain.
At this crisis point, everyone is aware of the effects of alcoholism. The person struggling with alcoholism is rarely without a drink but thinks no one notices. This stage frequently results in alcohol-related deaths for users who do not enter treatment. The last of the stages of alcoholism is full-blown addiction to alcohol. In this brutal stage, your body has become quite dependent on alcohol.
The Stages of Alcohol Dependence
Since many people with alcoholism endure psychological problems, individual or group therapy may help in overcoming addiction. One of the biggest concerns with risky https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/5-ways-to-destress-after-work/ drinkers is when they don’t think they have a problem. Moderate drinking is the only safe way to consume alcohol, but drinking in general isn’t safe for everyone.
