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As time goes on, alcoholism progresses, affecting your health and well-being. Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease involving excessive consumption of alcohol to the extent that it causes physical, mental, and social harm to an individual. Jellinek viewed alcoholism as a chronic relapsing condition that needed to be treated by health professionals and developed a theory on the progression of alcoholism through various stages. It’s important to note that regular alcohol use is not the same as moderate drinking.
- No matter what stage of addiction you or a loved one may be in, addiction treatment is available to help you overcome alcoholism.
- The severity of the disorder lies on a spectrum, ranging from mild to severe dependence, also known as chronic alcoholism (although even a mild disorder can spiral out of control without early treatment).
People with alcohol addiction physically crave the substance and are often inconsolable until they start drinking again. Substance abuse or addiction is a complex disease of the brain and body that disrupts brain regions related to reward, motivation, learning, judgment, and memory. Some people know they have a problem, while others may not be aware. Facing the possibility of alcoholism can be overwhelming, and it feels much easier to act like you’re perfectly fine.
Stage 2: Increased Frequency and the Beginning of Dependence
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. Regardless of the stage you might be in right now, recovery is possible and it is something that would change the course of your life.
Changes in your body such as facial redness, stomach bloating, shaking, sweating and memory lapses start to affect you. Individuals in this stage may not be drinking every day or even every week. However, they still use alcohol frequently and can’t imagine a “good night out” without it.
The Stages of AUD
Treatment and recovery are possible during any of the stages of alcoholism. However, the risks of alcoholism significantly decrease the sooner an individual receives treatment. While some of the effects of alcoholism can be permanent, treatment often results in a full recovery. Commonly, people believe the misconception of alcohol dependency and alcohol addiction is one and the same.
By giving you a regular schedule, our programming helps you establish healthy, constructive routines to improve your ability to function in daily life. If you feel that you have gone through or are currently experiencing any of these stages, it might be time to find an addiction recovery center. Remember, your journey toward recovery doesn’t have to end with this final stage. Instead, you can heal from addiction and any underlying mental health concerns to get yourself on an upward path once again. There are factors that pop up again and again when determining who might have an issue with alcoholism. If you’re in the “at-risk” population, it doesn’t take much to become dependent on alcohol or other drugs.
Occasional Abuse & Binge Drinking
Thoughts of alcohol override everything else, leading to compulsions that satisfy the cravings and desire to drink. Even if it means you must engage in illegal activities to obtain more alcohol, you do it. Severe abdominal pain and persistent diarrhea, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/5-stages-of-alcoholism/ as a result, is not fixable. Finally, support groups, such as AA, can support the individual and give them a sense of accountability. Have a confidential, completely free conversation with a treatment provider about your financial options.
Too much alcohol can be toxic to liver cells, causing dehydration and permanent scarring—which ultimately affects the blood flow. With excessive alcohol consumption, this important organ can’t metabolize Vitamin D, which could develop into a deficiency. Some common signs and symptoms of cirrhosis include fatigue, itchy skin, weight loss, nausea, yellow eyes and skin, abdominal pain and swelling or bruising. Cirrhosis of the liver\r\nOur liver filters out harmful substances, cleans our blood, stores energy and aids in digestion.
Summer is often filled with fun activities, like cookouts, pool parties, and family road trips. The last things you may be keeping an eye out for are the stages of a drug or alcohol addiction in yourself, a friend, or a loved one. If you are looking for a rehab for alcoholism, Addiction Recovery Services of New Hampshire offers a comprehensive treatment program for alcohol use disorder.
