Stages of Alcoholism: Early, Chronic, and End-Stage The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Drug and Alcohol Rehab

The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper provides a full continuum of care, from medical detox and inpatient rehab to aftercare. We are here to help you and those you love recover from addiction and begin a healthier, alcohol-free future. Contact us to learn more about alcohol addiction treatment programs that can work well for your needs in recovery.

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The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) refers to this as moderate AUD. In moderate AUD, a person shows signs of four to five of the symptoms of AUD. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Blacking out from drinking too much is a warning sign of this stage, along with lying about drinking, drinking excessively, and thinking obsessively about drinking.

• The end-stage alcoholic suffers from a host of physical problems, including severe damage to vital organs such as the liver.
• Understanding the progression of alcoholism through its stages is crucial for identifying the signs and symptoms early on and seeking appropriate help and treatment.
• There are factors that pop up again and again when determining who might have an issue with alcoholism.
• At the end of the day, the person with addiction has to be willing to accept help.

Early Alcohol Misuse

A critical aspect of this stage is the presence of co-occurring mental health disorders, which can significantly affect the prognosis and management of the condition. Studies have indicated that alcohol use disorder (AUD) often exists alongside mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior. This co-occurrence can exacerbate symptom severity and complicate treatment efforts, as both the AUD and the mental health disorder may influence each other negatively.

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It’s important to remember that alcoholism is a treatable condition, and recovery is possible with the right support and resources. Understanding the four stages of alcoholism, including the late-alcoholic stage, can aid in recognizing the signs and seeking help promptly. There are stages in which alcoholism develops, and the first one is often defined as the early stage, which is ultimately how alcoholism begins. During the early stage of how alcoholism progresses, the person will tend to start experiencing negative consequences related to their drinking. This can include hangovers, altercations with people when drinking, violence when drinking and blackouts.

Often termed the ‘prodromal’ phase, this stage is when people start to drink more often, which can lead to some dangerous consequences. You might experience occasional memory blackouts as a result of your drinking, and you might find yourself drinking on your own or in secret. Over time, you might rely on alcohol more and more in order to navigate the complexities of your daily life, signalling that you’ve developed a dependency on alcohol. Alcoholism is a disease that slowly develops over time, not all at once. While everyone stages of alcoholism may experience this progression differently, there are four common stages people go through when becoming a functional alcoholic.

• Since withdrawal symptoms tend to ebb and flow, you may be tempted to feel like you’re not making progress ― even though in reality, you’ve come a long way.
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• People in the late alcoholic stage may attempt to quit drinking several times and remain unsuccessful.

The effects of chronic alcoholism are far-reaching, impacting nearly every system in the body and significantly diminishing quality of life. Speaking with a healthcare or mental health professional can be a positive first step. They can recommend treatment for AUD, which may include medications and behavioral therapies. A person with severe AUD will generally have heavy alcohol consumption. The CDC define heavy drinking as 15 or more drinks per week for males and 8 or more drinks per week for females.