The Three Stages of Alcoholism: Early, Middle, & End-Stage Alcoholism

When a person develops alcoholism, clinically known as alcohol use disorder, they may go through several stages. These stages occur as the alcohol addiction progresses from its earlier or mild form to a more severe presentation of alcohol use disorder. Substance abuse, whether it be problem drinking or problematic use of another drug or substance, is notoriously difficult to achieve recovery from.

Despite efforts to hide their addiction, their drinking problem is quite obvious to others. Work performance usually suffers at this stage, and impairment in the workplace is common. Middle-stage alcoholics may become irritable or angry if confronted about their drinking. Mood swings, depression and feelings of guilt and shame are common. It is important to know the signs that develop during each stage to ensure your loved one seeks treatment for their addiction early on.

Stage 2: Middle Stage Alcoholism

Healthcare and mental health professionals may describe this stage as severe AUD. Healthcare and mental health professionals may describe this stage as moderate AUD. People with alcohol addiction physically crave the substance and are often inconsolable until they start drinking again. The first stage of alcoholism is a general experimentation with alcohol.

• It is important to understand that someone can have a psychological dependence on alcohol but not yet have an addiction.
• Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped.
• Years of chronic alcohol consumption have ravaged their body and mind, and their lives revolve around little else other than the bottle.
• While some people can live as “functioning alcoholics” and continue to work and participate in daily lives, others cannot maintain functioning.
• Being at a later stage can make recovery more challenging, but recovery is possible at any stage of alcoholism.

When a person develops an alcohol use disorder, they experience brain changes that make it difficult to stop drinking. This leads to compulsive alcohol use, even when it causes serious consequences in the person’s life or harms those around them. Health problems are quite common as well, depending on the amount of years someone has been struggling with a long term alcohol use disorder.

Is Binge Drinking Considered Alcoholism?

The transition from early to chronic stage alcoholism is a critical phase in the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). It is characterized by an escalation from occasional misuse to a pattern of drinking that results in physical dependence and significant health, social, and psychological problems. The risk of various cancers, particularly those of the liver, mouth, throat, and esophagus, also increases with long-term alcohol abuse.

Many of the effects of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention. Alcohol detox isn’t easy and not everyone can do it on their own. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals. As the stage progresses, the disease takes hold and develops into middle-stage alcoholism. Jellinek viewed alcoholism as a chronic relapsing condition that needed to be treated by health professionals and developed a theory on the progression of alcoholism through various stages. A person with severe AUD will almost always experience symptoms of withdrawal when the alcohol in their body begins to wear off.

End-Stage Alcoholism: Signs, Symptoms, Management

Research has shown that long-term alcohol misuse can have a lasting impact on the brain, although some areas may recover with abstinence. The most serious effect is Korsakoff’s syndrome, characterized in part by an inability to remember recent events or to learn new information. This CME/CE credit opportunity is jointly provided by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and NIAAA. Increased depression and anxiety are common, and you may find it hard to control your emotions. Whether you are crying uncontrollably one moment and exhibiting anger or rage the next, you cannot think rationally or logically. During the mild alcoholism phase, problem drinking may not be interfering with your ability to function at work and home.

• You may have even lost your job or are on the verge of losing it.
• When they stop drinking, they will be craving alcohol almost irresistibly.
• As a result, you may have to drink larger quantities to get “buzzed” or drunk.
• The mental and physical health of alcoholics are rapidly deteriorating at this stage, and unless they seek alcohol rehab, they may drink themselves to death.
• The complexity of its impact necessitates a multifaceted approach to treatment and recovery, addressing the disorder’s physiological and psychological dimensions.

These programs are designed to address the physical and psychological aspects of alcohol addiction, as well as any underlying mental health issues that may contribute to the addiction. You’ll want to find a rehab center that has medically-supervised detox capabilities so that you can comfortably and safely detox from alcohol. There are inpatient and outpatient options, but an addiction specialist should determine the best level of care https://ecosoberhouse.com/ for you based on your individual needs. 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. At this point, an individual may develop a serious disease, such as cirrhosis of the liver. As individuals continually consume alcohol, their liver produces scar tissue instead of new healthy tissue.

Alcohol’s Role Taking Hold

In the beginning, alcohol made you feel happier and more sociable. Because alcohol is a depressant, it produces opposite effects when drinking over time. Alcohol use disorder is a multifaceted issue that affects individuals differently. Understanding the various types of alcoholics helps tailor treatment and support to meet 5 stages of alcoholism their specific needs and get help. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, please explore our comprehensive resources and inpatient and outpatient treatment options at Caron. Alcoholism not only affects the individual struggling with addiction but also their family members and loved ones.

• If you take a good look at your body, you may recognize the changes externally and internally.
• This step aims to transition from drug use to detox to treatment.
• They may have liver damage, cirrhosis, and other health problems related to their drinking.
• For those who need help right away, WebMD Connect to Care specialists are standing by to get you started on the road to recovery today.