They may believe there is no real chance for recovery, or that it would be too painful to attempt. Drinking can take on many forms but for most people, early experimentation involves different types of alcohol to gauge their preferred taste. Mixed drinks with liquor, beer flavors such as locally-brewed craft varieties, and inexpensive brands, and whatever wine their parents might have around the house are the common go-to’s. Nationwide, the majority of those who choose to drink had their first alcoholic beverage on average at 15.9 years of age. Before reaching the legal age of 21, 61% began drinking before age 18 and 83% began drinking before age 21.

This causes malnutrition, which is often accompanied by a lowered count of red blood cells (anemia). If you or someone you know is struggling with a drinking problem, don’t wait any longer. Countless treatment options can help them conquer their addiction and manage any withdrawal symptoms.

How do you tell the difference between the stages of alcoholism?

The liver gains fats and inflammation, eventually leading to liver scarring. The result of the damage is often liver disease or cirrhosis. If you or someone you know has made it to this stage it is important to seek out medical care immediately. If not treated right away, end-stage alcoholism can lead to permanent brain damage and death.

Sometimes we just have to change our definition of recovery a bit, and that’s okay. And in all likelihood, if you are considering trying to stop drinking, you are not past the point of no return. Talk to your doctor if you are physically addicted to alcohol, and don’t make any rash, reactionary decisions.

Knowing the 4 Stages of Alcoholism Can Press the Reset Button With Alcohol Use Disorder

Individualized treatment programs delivered in a comfortable, relaxed setting promote healing in your recovery journey. Despite the harm that alcohol has done to them, a person may be unable to stop. The activities they do may involve significant personal risk, like having unsafe sex. Alcoholism is a dangerous and life-altering disease that can seriously affect your health and well-being. However, it is never too late to seek help and turn things around.

While this list can help you decide if you need to seek help, only a licensed medical professional can diagnose alcohol use disorder. Heavy alcohol use can cause cardiomyopathy1, a condition in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood effectively. This can cause a myriad of problems and can eventually be fatal as the heart is unable to pump enough blood to maintain life. When you reach out to us, a team of physicians, nurses, licensed therapists, fitness trainers, and counselors begin designing a treatment plan just for your needs.

Stage 2: Increase in Alcoholic Consumption, Cravings, Tolerance

The only form of alcoholism that can be diagnosed clinically is alcohol use disorder, which can be diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe. End-stage alcoholism is normally used to describe a situation where alcohol use makes death likely if it is continued. Because end-stage alcoholism can be related to a variety of different causes, the physical symptoms will depend on the conditions the alcoholism has caused. Alcoholism (more specifically, alcohol use disorder) occurs when someone has trouble controlling how much they drink. The person may continue to drink even if it’s causing problems in their life.

• Cirrhosis is the final stage of alcohol-related liver disease.
• Furthermore, alcohol’s effects interfere with the storage, absorption, and metabolisms of these essential nutrients, causing a complete disbalance.
• Unfortunately, many heavy drinkers go years and even decades without noticing chronic pancreatitis disease.
• A person may binge drink, consuming several beverages in one sitting.

Let Coastal Detox be your guide and the first step towards sobriety. Contact us today to learn more about our detox program and read other addiction resources. The middle stage of alcoholism Top 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing Sober House is where many of the consequences for frequent drinking begin to pile up. A person may be doing worse at work or school, they may lose interest in hobbies they used to enjoy.

Alcoholism can single-handedly ruin relationships and cause many issues in a person’s job and school work. At HVRC, we offer a full continuum of care, from acute medical detoxification to sober living programs. We are licensed as a Chemical Dependency Rehabilitation Hospital (CDRH), enabling us to provide more services than most addiction treatment centers. Alcohol contributes to approximately 88,000 deaths annually in the US, making it the third leading preventable cause of death.

At this stage, the drinker might also begin to show some of the typical signs of dependency such as a lack of motivation, changes in activities or social groups, or trouble completing basic daily tasks. It is also the stage in which the majority of people stay when it comes to their alcohol consumption. It’s going out with some friends or coworkers and having a drink or 2, maybe at happy hour or another social event.