The Stages of Alcoholism: Early, Chronic, and End Stage

Those who begin using alcohol as a tool someone uses to unwind after a long day, bolster themselves in social situations, or help them fall asleep progress into the next stage of alcoholism. Those who find alternatives to drinking either stay in the pre-alcoholic stage or move away from drinking altogether. 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 affects more men than women and is fatal 10 to 20 percent of the time.
• Once the journey to recovery has been completed, the patient may take over a mentor’s role to help those who are taking steps to stop drinking.
• Early-stage alcoholism, or the prodromal phase, is when people begin binge drinking regularly and may even black out occasionally.
• Effective treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Effective addiction treatment providers will have addiction counselors, but they should also have mental health services as many people with alcoholism have co-occurring mental health conditions. First, the body will build a tolerance, which is a natural process. As tolerance builds, a person who consumes alcohol will require a higher volume in order to experience the familiar effects. Second, the body will go through withdrawal if intake of the familiar drug ceases or if there is a significant reduction in the usual amount.

The First Stage Of Alcoholism: Pre-Alcoholism

While the process may take several years, the outcome is a happier, healthier life where you have the freedom to fulfill your full potential. This stage typically starts 3–5 years after you’ve stopped drinking. People often need to address past trauma or familial issues during this time.

It also includes binge drinking — a pattern of drinking where a male has five or more drinks within two hours or a female has at least four drinks within two hours. Alcohol use disorder is a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol or continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems. This disorder also involves having to drink more to get the same effect or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking.

Chronic Pancreatitis

The Jellinek Curve includes recovery and rehabilitation as a stage of alcohol addiction. Along with showing the progression of the disease, the curve shows that recovery and healing are achievable with the right support and treatments. Even those who feel trapped in the cycle of addiction can break free from alcohol misuse. As one’s tolerance levels increase and one becomes dependent on drinking, damage caused to the body also increases in severity.

The user loses his or her job due to too many absences and alcohol-induced fights end relationships. It’s evident when someone is at the end-stages of their alcohol addiction. They see severe impacts on their health, relationships, employment, finances, and overall satisfaction with life. The pre-alcoholic stage is a formative stage; people go in one of two directions.

How Is Alcoholism Treated?

If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional https://ecosoberhouse.com/ or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group. As individuals continue to drink alcohol over time, progressive changes may occur in the structure and function of their brains.

At this point, drinking is no longer just a casual social activity — it’s become a daily habit that may be used to cope with stress, anxiety or other emotional problems. A review of the 11 factors set forth in the DSM-5 regarding severe alcohol use disorder (i.e., the presence of six or more factors) provides additional insight into this condition. Having six or more of the alcohol use disorder symptoms would indicate the need for a treatment intervention to address the addiction. People with alcohol addiction physically crave the substance and are often inconsolable until they start drinking again. You may become more depressed, more anxious, or start losing sleep.

What Is Alcoholism?

The affects can range from dementia and intellectual functioning to debilitating conditions that require long-term care, even if a person has been sober for a period of time. Alcoholism was identified in 1956 as an illness by the American Medical Association (AMA). It’s a disease—an altering of the brain that controls a person’s motivation and ability to make healthy choices. Once it takes hold, it can be hard to shake loose—without the right help. 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.

• Fluid buildup in end-stage liver disease is a particularly ominous sign.
• If you think you might have an alcohol use disorder or if you are worried that your alcohol consumption has become problematic, it is important to talk to your doctor to discuss your treatment options.
• However, most people with AUD—no matter their age or the severity of their alcohol problems—can benefit from treatment with behavioral health therapies, medications, or both.

Most addiction professionals agree that an at-home detox or “going cold turkey” is never advisable. The best practice would be to talk with an addiction counselor or mental health professional about safe options to detox from alcohol. One of the biggest concerns with risky drinkers is when they don’t think they have a problem.

We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Take a short quiz of DSM-5 criteria to assess the severity of your alcohol use. Hosted by Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares strategies for coping with alcohol cravings and other addictions, featuring addiction specialist John Umhau, MD. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).