The stages of alcoholism are the stages in which drinking can develop from experimental drinking or the risky use of alcohol to alcoholism and alcohol dependency, and other serious health problems. But not all people follow the same pattern. When people know the signs of cravings, loss of control, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and life problems early on, they can begin to get help before the issues get worse.
Introduction
Knowing the different phases of alcoholism can be of help in recognizing when drinking independently of others is becoming a serious worry. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by problems regulating one’s alcohol consumption despite physical, emotional, social, or work-related problems. NIAAA explains that AUD can vary in intensity from mild to severe and that AUD treatment is effective at all levels.
What is essential to keep in mind is that there is no one standard time frame. An individual might get to the harmful stage without going through each stage, while another person may go through the stages progressively. The aim of this investigation of the patterns is not to identify someone. To be aware of and make that connection with regard to the early warning signs and proper support.
Key Takeaways
- Evolution of problem drinking can be gradual, though not necessarily the same for all.
- The first four indicators of addiction are the need to drink more, craving a drink, tolerance, and inability to cut.
- Alcohol use disorder symptoms include alcohol withdrawal, relationship issues, work difficulties, and health issues.
- At each stage of alcoholism in the body, the liver, heart, brain, digestive system, immune system, and other organs are impacted.
- When someone is highly addicted to alcohol, it should not be discontinued without help from a health professional.
- Medical detox, therapy, medication, residential, outpatient treatment, and recovery support are all available treatment options.
- Even if alcohol use has progressed to the point of being extremely heavy, recovery is possible.
4 Stages of Alcoholism
The four stages of alcoholism, when broken down, can be put into words as early experimentation or risky drinking; growing dependence on alcohol, a full-blown alcohol use disorder; and extreme or chronic alcohol dependence.
These categories can be valid for progression analysis but are not part of a real staging system. Individuals are not placed in a numbered stage of AUD; rather, clinicians identify AUD based on certain symptoms and the severity of those symptoms.
Drinking alcohol at a young age and during the experimental stage
1. Early or Experimental Drinking
Some people start drinking for social reasons. Alcohol can be consumed in parties, on holidays, or with friends. Drinking does not at this stage necessarily mean addiction.
Drinking is risky when it becomes frequent, excessive, or associated with stress, anxiety, loneliness, or other negative feelings.
2. Problem Drinking and Increasing Tolerance
As drinking becomes more frequent, a person might find that they are capable of feeling the same impacts from taking greater quantities of alcohol. Alcohol can also turn into a favored method of unwinding or coping with challenging scenarios.
It may be a significant warning sign. Some people may start to have problems with sleeplessness, relationships, finances, responsibilities, or physical health because of their drinking.
3. Established Alcohol Use Disorder
At this stage, it can be hard to maintain alcohol control. They might drink more or for longer than intended, unsuccessfully try to reduce drinking, or have strong cravings to drink or continue drinking despite obvious harm.
Tolerances and withdrawals can also manifest. According to NIAAA, two or more AUD symptoms over the course of one year can prompt a diagnosis, with more symptoms noted indicating a more serious condition.
4. Severe or Chronic Alcohol Dependence
Chronic overconsumption of alcohol can have devastating physical and psychological effects. Alcohol-related liver disease, heart disease, brain damage, malnutrition, injuries, and other chronic health issues can be a concern in the late stages of alcoholism.
“End stage” does not imply that recovery is impossible, however. Even those who still can drink can, through treatment, stabilize their health, quit drinking safely and get their lives back on track, and solve underlying problems.
What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder?
Some common symptoms that crop up during the phases of alcoholism involve increased drinking or longer time spent drinking, unsuccessful attempts to cut back, intense cravings, spending significant time recovering from alcohol’s effects, and continuing to drink even if there are adverse consequences.
Other indicators include:
- Absconding from work, school, family, and/or school friendships due to alcohol use.
- Giving up important activities to drink.
- Repeatedly drinking in unsafe situations.
- Developing tolerance.
- Going through withdrawal when alcohol goes away.
- Drinking even when they are physically and/or psychologically unwell.
- Blackout or forgetfulness.
NIAAA’s diagnostic checklist has 11 symptoms, two or more of which may indicate AUD within the past year.
Medical help is particularly sensitive if the following symptoms appear after the withdrawal from alcohol: shaking, sweating, vomiting, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.
What Causes Alcohol Problems to Progress?
There is no single cause of AUD. Genetics, drinking habits, age of first alcohol use, psychological and mental health, stress and trauma, family history, social setting, and other influences may impact risk.
How often, how much, and how fast one drinks also have an impact. According to NIAAA, the amount, frequency, and rate at which a person drinks affect his or her chances of developing an addiction.
Alcohol may appear, first of all, to be a low-hanging fruit to deal with stress or emotional distress. With time, however, self-medicating with alcohol can become a habit. Initially, it may just be an occasional coping mechanism, but it becomes what the brain and body start to expect.
There is no blood test to just prove someone is an alcoholic. This usually involves asking about alcohol drinking habits, signs, health, mental health, medications used, alcohol withdrawal history, and how alcohol affects your life.
The World Health Organization recommends the ICD-10 alcohol addiction spectrum for use by clinicians. The severity is based on the number of symptoms present during 12 months. If a person has two or three symptoms, they have mild AUD; four to five symptoms, moderate AUD; and six or more symptoms, severe AUD.
A pro assessment can also recognize medical complications and co-occurring mental health problems that may need to be addressed as a problem in addition to alcohol consumption.
How Are Alcohol Problems Treated?
Treatment is based on the individual’s alcohol consumption, medical status of withdrawal risk, mental health status, and recovery outcomes. No one treatment is equal to all!
Medical Detox
For those who have found themselves to be greatly dependent on alcohol, medically assisted withdrawal might be necessary. There can be dangerous symptoms of alcohol withdrawal if a person who has been drinking heavily for an extended period suddenly stops.
Residential/Inpatient Treatment.
Residential treatment provides a safe and supportive environment where people can focus on their sobriety while avoiding triggers for drinking. Services include individual therapy, group counseling, behavior modification therapy, and treatment for medical and recovery education.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient drug and alcohol programs allow an individual to receive outpatient care, meaning they don’t have to leave their home. Treatment depends on the clinical presentation and can include counseling, medication, relapse prevention education, and frequent recovery education and support.
Therapy and Medications
Behavioral therapies are useful in helping to recognize triggers, break unhealthy patterns, and manage cravings and develop healthier coping. NIAAA also says there are certain drugs that are approved by the FDA that can be used to treat specific individuals, including naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.
Concerned about whether there’s a problem with drinking? Palm Coast Treatment Solutions can assist you in learning more about the suitable addiction treatment options you have to choose from. Contact a member of the team at (386) 284-4151 to discuss what the next step in the process of recovery is.
What Does Research Say About Alcohol and Long-Term Health?
Studies have continuously made it abundantly clear that an excess consumption of alcohol has an impact on several systems in the body. According to the CDC, drinking too much can be linked to liver disease, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, digestive issues, poor immune system, mental health issues, and several types of cancer.
Alcohol is also linked to an increased risk for cancer. According to current CDC recommendations, alcoholic drinks are associated with oral, throat, esophageal, liver, colon and rectal, breast, and other cancers.
Thus, these findings are why it’s important to understand the stages of alcoholism and how it affects the body. Physical damage can set in even before a person is aware that he or she has a problem with alcohol.
What Are the Side Effects of Long-Term Alcohol Use?
Chronic excessive alcohol consumption can damage almost all of the body systems. There are risks such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, weakness of the immune system, vitamin deficiencies, trouble with memory, or a greater risk of cancer.
These stages of alcoholism before death are not linear, nor is each alcohol stage alike. Some individuals will get very seriously ill with their liver disease; others may face cardiovascular ailments, cancer, accidents, overdoses with other drugs, or other alcohol related illnesses.
Thus, delays in treatment, on the assumption that the disease is in a “final stage,” can be risky.
Problem drinking tends to happen over a period of time, not all at once. Someone can go from social drinking to heavy drinking, tolerance, loss of control, addiction, and ultimately serious problems. Early identification yields increased opportunities for safe intervention and recovery.
How Can You Prevent Alcohol Problems From Getting Worse?
The first step of prevention is to identify a change in drinking behavior before it becomes a habit. Helpful steps include:
- Monitor frequency and amount of fluid consumption.
- Take mental note if you are beginning to drink to cope.
- Place limits or refrain from alcohol altogether.
- Ask questions and talk about concerns with a health care professional openly.
- Tackle anxiety or depression, trauma or other issues that may lie at the root.
- Establish non-drinking, positive relationships.
- If trimming does not help, perhaps it’s time to go for medication.
- Action should always be taken in response to withdrawal symptoms.
The CDC advises that reducing alcohol consumption will help reduce alcohol-related harms and that not drinking at all will ultimately stop alcohol exposure.
If the use of alcohol is already out of control for the individual, the in-person prevention action is a treatment. Early help and help-seeking are a success, not a failure.
Conclusion
It’s important to understand when you’ve moved from occasional drinking to unhealthy drinking, and the warning signs of alcoholism can help you determine just that. There is no set, ‘one size fits all’ timeframe, and someone does not necessarily need to understand their difficulty with alcohol to take steps.
As the symptoms of craving, tolerance, withdrawal, a history of unsuccessful attempts at cutting down or stopping drinking, and even a continuation of the alcoholic behavior in the face of damage can be identified, it might be time to speak with an experienced professional. Alcohol addiction is not something you can’t treat, and recovery begins at any point.
Get Help for Alcohol Addiction in Palm Coast, FL
Don’t wait for the damage to be done to your body before you stop drinking. Palm Coast Treatment Solutions is here to help people struggling with alcohol and other drug addictions and abuse. Call counselors today to find out more about treatment options: (386) 284-4151.
Medical Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Alcohol withdrawal can become dangerous or life-threatening, particularly after prolonged heavy drinking. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional before stopping suddenly if dependence is possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Stages of Alcoholism
What are the 11 symptoms of alcohol use disorder?
The 11 symptoms include drinking more than intended, unsuccessful attempts to stop, cravings, excessive time spent drinking, role problems, relationship problems, giving up activities, hazardous drinking, continued use despite harm, tolerance, and withdrawal.
When is it time to leave an alcoholic spouse?
Consider leaving or creating firm boundaries when drinking creates abuse, threats, unsafe conditions, financial instability, neglect, or repeated harm. Your safety comes first. Professional counseling and trusted support can help you make a safe, informed decision.
How do you know if someone has a drinking problem?
Warning signs include frequent cravings, drinking more than planned, failed attempts to cut down, hiding alcohol use, neglecting responsibilities, relationship problems, tolerance, withdrawal, and continuing to drink despite physical or emotional consequences.
What is stage 3 of alcoholism?
In common four-stage models, stage 3 is often described as established or mid-stage alcoholism, when drinking becomes difficult to control and may involve cravings, tolerance, withdrawal, risky behavior, and significant personal or professional consequences.
What disorder do most alcoholics have?
The clinical term is alcohol use disorder, or AUD. It is a medical condition involving impaired control over alcohol despite negative consequences. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe and may occur alongside other mental health conditions.
What are 5 warning signs of addiction?
Five common warning signs are strong cravings, loss of control, tolerance, withdrawal, and continuing to use despite harmful consequences. Other signs can include neglecting responsibilities, relationship problems, and abandoning important activities.
What are the first signs of liver damage from alcohol?
Early alcohol-related liver disease may cause few or no noticeable symptoms. Fatigue, weakness, poor appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or unexplained weight changes can occur, but liver disease requires medical evaluation rather than self-diagnosis.
At what age do most alcoholics stop drinking?
There is no specific age when most people with AUD stop drinking. Recovery can begin during adolescence, adulthood, or later life. Age should never be considered a reason to delay treatment.
What does 7 days no alcohol do to your body?
After seven alcohol-free days, some people may experience better sleep, improved hydration, steadier energy, and fewer hangover symptoms. However, benefits vary, and people with alcohol dependence may experience dangerous withdrawal when stopping suddenly.
