Stages of Alcoholism Early to End-Stage Alcoholism Symptoms

However, many binge drinkers will exceed this amount substantially. While binge drinking may seem harmless, this is far from the truth. In fact, binge drinking can lead to serious health concerns such as alcohol poisoning, comas, and even death. Additionally, drinking in large amounts can lead to alcohol dependency or addiction – making it the first stage of alcoholism. His contributions helped frame the way the medical community understands alcohol addiction to this day. Continue reading to learn more about the four stages of alcoholism.

It’s a disease that typically develops gradually over time as a person drinks more and more regularly, which causes chemical changes to occur in the brain. It stands to reason that alcohol recovery is also a gradual process with no set timeline. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and termination are the stages of change that determine the path of recovery from alcoholism. These stages take time, determination, and patience but will ultimately lead to a meaningful life that is not ruled by alcohol. End-stage alcoholism typically presents a number of health complications.

Is there treatment for early-stage alcoholism?

At this point, alcohol has had a severe effect on your mind and body. Fatty liver, cardiac problems, and other health complications put your life at risk. In terms of diagnostic criteria, individuals may display 7 or more symptoms of alcohol use disorder. Some people may experience all 11 symptoms of the condition during this stage, making it imperative for them to get professional treatment for alcoholism. In the early phases of alcohol abuse, a person may experiment with different types of drinking and use alcohol in various forms. This could include binge drinking, social drinking, and trying new kinds of alcohol.

Examples of regular alcohol use include drinking during a celebratory event or pairing a glass of wine with a meal. On the other hand, moderate drinkers will drink in order to relieve their negative emotions or “blow off steam”. In order to be in the second stage of alcoholism, an individual will have become a moderate drinker. Often times, people will develop a slight psychological dependence during this stage of alcoholism. With so many effects on the body, the usual first step in treating alcoholism is detox—or getting alcohol out of your system.

What Are the Different Stages of Alcoholism?

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. If you think a family member or loved one might be showing signs, signals or symptoms of alcoholism, know that it won’t “go away” on its own. Their brain is changing—and without help, there can be serious long-term consequences. What starts as casual drinking advances into dependence and addiction over time. The majority of people who struggle with alcohol addiction, or alcohol use disorder , took months or years to reach that point.

This causes them to begin using alcohol to cope with things in their life that aren’t going well. This is the stage at which an individual seeks alcohol again after a period of abstinence. A person becomes preoccupied with alcohol and how to get more of it, and looks forward to the next time he or she will consume it.

Sober Seasons: 9 Ways to Enjoy the Seasons Without Substances

Your tolerance for alcohol increases, and it takes a larger amount of alcohol for you to feel its effects. If you are drinking a manageable amount in socially appropriate situations and can say no to another drink, you likely won’t develop an alcohol addiction. The final stage of the Jellinek Curve occurs when the person’s health stabilizes after they stop drinking. The person in recovery has transitioned through detox and immediate treatment to maintain sobriety.

At this point in an individual’s addiction, they will present a severe case of physical addiction and dependence on alcohol. The middle stage consists of a lot of cravings and developing a dependence on alcohol. During the middle stage, a person’s problem with alcohol consumption becomes more evident especially for those around them. Each stage has its own signs and symptoms to look out for; both mild to severe.

Getting Help for Alcohol Use Disorder

Feel free to join our alumni program to develop a support network of other clients from Atlanta Detox Center. If this list describes the behavior of you or someone you support, please don’t hesitate to explore our programs or reach out to Caron 5 stages of alcoholism with questions or concerns. Furthermore, support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can provide a supportive community for individuals in early recovery. Alcoholism is a disease that can take over a person’s life and leave them feeling hopeless.

• Heavy drinking is a threatening practice which can easily transition into alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder.
• The liver gains fats and inflammation, eventually leading to liver scarring.
• Many people refer to alcoholism as a “family disease” because it can have a major impact on all members of the family whether they realize it or not.
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• The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.