5 Stages of Alcoholism 10 Warning Signs & Treatments

Successful treatment for alcohol abuse and addiction typically combines medication, behavioral therapy, and an aftercare program. People who have a negative relationship with alcohol can get help from an alcohol rehab center at any stage. It is important for individuals to get treatment before they experience the consequences of alcohol use disorder that tend to occur in the severe or end-stage of alcoholism. Otherwise, they could do irreparable damage to their life, mental health, and physical health.

While you may still see yourself succeeding in all areas of your life, you are in denial. You can’t understand why so many bad things are happening to you. When someone suggests you may have a problem with alcohol, you get defensive and swear you can quit anytime you want and without help.

Early Stage Alcoholism

What starts as leaning on alcohol can gradually grow into full-blown dependency. Some don’t notice that they’ve been increasing their consumption. Others are unaware of how dangerous their drinking practices are. Alcoholism can damage your mind and body and make your relationships difficult. Different treatment plans and settings are available to provide the continual backing required to maintain prolonged sobriety once you have finished detoxification. Treatment plans and programs include inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation, aftercare programs, sober living, and 12-step support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous.

• Nothing is more critical today than seeking help from professionals who can help you stop drinking.
• This means that when they stop drinking or miss a dosage of alcohol, they will experience symptoms of withdrawal.
• Aftercare helps you stay on track and keep practicing what you learned while in rehab.

Chronic drinkers are more liable to contract diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis than moderate drinkers. Drinking a lot on a single occasion slows your body’s ability to ward off infections–even up to 24 hours after getting drunk. Immune system\r\nDrinking too much can weaken your immune system, making your body a much easier target for disease. The affects can 5 stages of alcoholism ^[6] 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.

Warning Signs of Alcoholism

At this stage, drinking becomes everything in your life, even at the expense of your livelihood, your health and your relationships. Attempts to stop drinking can result in tremors or hallucinations, but therapy, detox, and rehab can help you get your life back. When it comes to the preparation stage, the individual is building a sense of urgency regarding their desire for sobriety. They’ve usually made steps toward taking action, such as intending to join a gym, seeing a counselor or attempting to quit addiction by themselves without attending a treatment center. Sadly, many people use alcohol to heal trauma, for courage in areas where they are insecure, or in combination with other drugs.

Severe alcoholism begins when an individual is displaying 6 out of the 11 signs of alcohol use disorder. At this stage, the person’s alcoholism may become evident to their family members and friends. While some people can be extremely good at hiding their alcoholism, this stage is severe, meaning a lot of symptoms will be present.

Stage 2: Increase in Alcoholic Consumption, Cravings, Tolerance

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 with questions or concerns. Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART) are open https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/choosing-sobriety-gifts-10-great-ideas-to-consider/ ^[7] to anyone with a substance use disorder. Outpatient treatment is less intensive than inpatient treatment or partial hospitalization programs. They are best for people who have a high motivation to recover but cannot leave their responsibilities at home, work, or school.

Often times, people will develop a slight psychological dependence during this stage of alcoholism. Becoming addicted to alcohol is not something that happens overnight. In reality, there are stages of alcoholism that start with excessive drinking and lead to serious health complications. Below, learn more about the stages of alcoholism to assess if you or a loved one might be struggling with addiction.

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. When someone begins using alcohol, they usually are only doing so in social situations. Then, they begin to notice that alcohol soothes their uncomfortable emotions. This causes them to begin using alcohol to cope with things in their life that aren’t going well.

Knowledge about these may help someone identify their, or someone else’s problem with alcohol sooner rather than later. If a person continues to drink alcohol regularly, they will build up a tolerance. If they are seeking to achieve a particular feeling, they will need to consume more and more alcohol each time.