5 Stages of Alcoholism: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatments

They may become more drunk than others without thinking about any consequences that might occur from blacking out again. Symptoms of a person’s alcoholism will continue to grow worse as they progress into the illness. Without early intervention, a person can end up developing a severe addiction to https://ecosoberhouse.com/ alcohol and need serious alcohol treatment. Alcoholism affects everyone differently, so no two people will have the same journey or experience the same things. It’s important to know that no matter what stage of alcoholism you are in, you can always get help and stop the disease from progressing.

The person in recovery has transitioned through detox and immediate treatment to maintain sobriety. They continue to practice sober living habits to change their lives and support their ongoing efforts to manage their alcoholism and regain their life. When an individual reaches this stage of the cycle, alcohol becomes their sole focus. Everything in their life revolves around drinking at the expense of their health, relationships, and jobs. If the person cuts back or stops drinking during this stage, they can experience side effects such as tremors and hallucinations. Help via therapy and detox can help the individual navigate these symptoms safely to begin to live without alcohol.

Early Alcoholism

Alcoholics in this stage have a hard time controlling their drinking. They may begin drinking early in the day and plan their day around their drinking. In social 5 stages of alcoholism situations, they may be unable to stop drinking when others do and find that they can’t handle as much as they previously could without becoming drunk.

• People in the early stage of alcoholism may not be using every day, but they usually use more than others in one period of time.
• Warning signs of the condition include denial, blackouts, neglecting responsibilities, and withdrawal symptoms when alcohol intake is stopped or reduced.
• The first step will likely be a medically supervised detox, which will help rid your body of toxins and manage the symptoms of withdrawal.
• After ongoing heavy use, the body may develop a physical dependence.
• As discussed above, if you suffer from an alcohol addiction then you are either suffering from a mild, moderate or severe addiction.

Many people stay in this stage their whole lives and never progress, but most of those who eventually develop an alcohol use disorder begin here. Environmental and genetic factors aside, the sheer number of drinks people consume in a given period of time can put them at risk for developing an alcohol use disorder. Women who have a daily intake of more than three drinks, or more than seven per week, are considered at risk. Men, due to their physiological differences from women, are considered to be at risk if they partake in more than four drinks a day or more than 14 per week. Typically, drinking too much doesn’t prevent most people from going to work even now. It is easiest to diagnose a person with alcohol use disorder in this final stage of it, but treatment, when one has been drinking so much, is most difficult.

The Stages of Alcoholism: From Social to Severe

While any form of alcohol abuse is problematic, the term “problem drinker” refers to someone who starts experiencing the impacts of their habit. A moderate drinker might pair a glass of wine with a meal, while a regular drinker uses alcohol to feel good in general. As increased drinking continues, you become more dependent on alcohol and are at risk of developing alcoholism. 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. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the “stage” of alcoholism.

This aspect of alcoholism can be addressed with counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment program. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.